VP of A&R, PARMA Recordings
brandon.macneil@parmarecordings.com
www.parmarecordings.com/meet-the-team/

Chris Evan Hass (b. 1993) is a self-described ‘composer, arranger, conductor, and friend’ hailing from Ann Arbor, MI.  Praised as “beautifully expressive” (the WholeNote) and “thrillingly off-kilter” (Double Reed Journal), Chris’ music aims to delight and inspire, often taking direct influence from his favorite artists and genres.

Marked by rhythmic complexity and luscious harmonies, Chris’ music has been performed worldwide by some of today’s finest musicians. This includes members of the New York Philharmonic, U.S. Naval Academy Band, Sinta Quartet, Dallas Winds, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, U.S. Army Band, Eastman Saxophone Project, and U.S. Air Force Band. His compositions have been performed at prestigious conferences including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Texas Music Educator’s Association Conference, and the Indonesia Orchestra and Ensemble Festival. As a prominent voice in the saxophone and brass community, Chris’ chamber works are frequently featured at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and have become staples at instrumental showcases like the International Trombone Festival, World Saxophone Congress, and the International Trumpet Guild. 

As an educator, Chris has traveled internationally to rehearse and conduct ensembles ranging from 6th grade beginning bands to collegiate and professional ensembles. Chris teaches private composition and low brass lessons, music theory courses, and has given presentations on composition, networking, and freelancing at universities across the United States.

Chris holds degrees in Composition from Central Michigan University (M.M.) and Western Michigan University (B.M.) where he studied with David Gillingham, Evan Ware, and Christopher Biggs. Chris currently resides in Jackson, MI with his wife, son, and three dogs (Pesto, Basil, and Olive).

Jordan Randall Smith is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Susquehanna University, and Music Director of Symphony Number One and Hunt's Church. He is also Conductor of the Hopkins Concert Orchestra, and Creative Director of the International Florence Price Festival. Jordan's leadership of Mahler's Fourth Symphony was praised by the Baltimore Sun: "The third movement, in particular, was quite sensitively molded." Conductor Alan Gilbert called Jordan’s conducting, “impressive.”

A 2010 Bruno Walter Fellow at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Smith studied with Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier and conducted the festival orchestra in concert. Jordan has recorded six commercial releases and led over 50 world premieres.

Smith has mentored hundreds of young musicians in ensembles across the country and is currently the conductor of the Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra Symphonia. A Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Conducting at the Peabody Conservatory, Jordan was invited to give a TED Talk at TEDxMidatlantic 2017 and is a contributor to Baltimore Magazine.

Learn more at http://www.jordanrsmith.com

Followers of Ryan Key