Christopher Brandt serves as Director of Instrumental Activities at Morningside University in Sioux City, IA. At Morningside he conducts the Wind Ensemble, The Pride of Morningside Marching Band, the Mustang Pep Band and teaches conducting and music education courses. He is an avid conductor, performer and music educator with nearly 15 years of experience teaching in public school and collegiate settings. In 2018 he conducted the premier of An Immigrants Story by Marat Sanatullov which received the American Prize, Third Place and in 2017 he was selected as a National Band Association Young Conductor semi-finalist. As an educator his bands consistently earned superior ratings and have been selected to perform at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Conference. Prior to teaching, he served in the 451st Army Band as a saxophonist and associate conductor with conducting appearances throughout the United States. Brandt studied conducting with Carolyn Barber, Peter Eklund, Benjamin Schneider, Aaron McDermid, and Tyler White and saxophone with Benjamin Schneider and Bruce Ammann.
Preceding his appointment at Morningside University, Brandt served as Director of Bands at Graceland University, where he lead the symphonic band and jazz ensemble, taught music theory, music technology, conducting, music methods courses and applied woodwind lessons. Brandt served as associate conductor of the Jack R. Snider Campus Band and Big Red Express Pep Band, assisted with the 300-plus member Cornhusker Marching Band, led beginning conducting courses, and worked with the symphonic band and wind ensemble at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. From 2006 to 2010, Brandt served as associate conductor of athletic bands and was appointed assistant conductor of fall musicals at the University of Jamestown and in 2016, he founded The Pershing Winds, a semi-professional wind ensemble comprised of musicians from the Lincoln, Nebraska, area.
Brandt holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Nebraska; a Master of Music degree in Conducting from Sam Houston State University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, Performance (saxophone) and Leadership from the University of Jamestown. He previously performed as a featured soloist and member of the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble and the Heart of America Winds.
Preceding his appointment at Morningside University, Brandt served as Director of Bands at Graceland University, where he lead the symphonic band and jazz ensemble, taught music theory, music technology, conducting, music methods courses and applied woodwind lessons. Brandt served as associate conductor of the Jack R. Snider Campus Band and Big Red Express Pep Band, assisted with the 300-plus member Cornhusker Marching Band, led beginning conducting courses, and worked with the symphonic band and wind ensemble at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. From 2006 to 2010, Brandt served as associate conductor of athletic bands and was appointed assistant conductor of fall musicals at the University of Jamestown and in 2016, he founded The Pershing Winds, a semi-professional wind ensemble comprised of musicians from the Lincoln, Nebraska, area.
Brandt holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Nebraska; a Master of Music degree in Conducting from Sam Houston State University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, Performance (saxophone) and Leadership from the University of Jamestown. He previously performed as a featured soloist and member of the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble and the Heart of America Winds.
EducatorHaving taught for nearly 15 years in public school and collegiate settings, his bands consistently earned superior ratings and have been selected to perform at the Minnesota Music Educators Conference, and in 2015 were selected as a Grammy Signature School Semi-Finalist. He is an active performer, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the midwest.
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ConductorIn his current position he conducts the Wind Ensemble, The Pride of Morningside Marching Band, the Mustang Pep Band and teaches conducting, music education courses at Morningside University. He also served as the Music Director of the Pershing Winds, and associate conductor of the 451st Army Band, and in 2017 he was selected as a National Band Association Young Conductor semi-finalist . He enjoys working with ensembles of all levels.
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SaxophonistPerforming as a senior instrumentalist with the 451st Army Band Brandt has performed around the U.S. as a soloist and ensemble member. Brandt currently performs with the Heart of America Winds located in Kansas City, MO.
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