Critically acclaimed clarinetist Christopher Nichols enjoys
a dynamic career with performances as a soloist and in ensembles across the
United States and abroad. As a professional instrumental soloist, he received
praise from The American Prize: “…lovely long line, evocative playing,
flexible…tone is rich and round, welcoming, clean and elegant…fine performances
from a skilled artist.”
Dr. Nichols regularly performs with orchestras such as the
Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City, the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the Kennett
Symphony, the Garden State Philharmonic, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and
the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. A devoted performer of chamber music, he is a
member of Duo Extreme and Christiana Winds. Additionally, he has collaborated
with the acclaimed Serafin String Quartet and the Taggart-Grycky Duo, as well
as members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, New York
Philharmonic and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He has served for over a decade
in Army Bands with performances throughout the United States, Germany, France and
Austria. He is currently a decorated member of the 287th Army Band in
Wilmington, Delaware, where he has earned the rank of Sergeant First Class.
A dedicated pedagogue, Dr. Nichols joined the faculty of the
University of Delaware School of Music in 2013 where he is associate professor
of clarinet. As an artist clinician, he regularly appears at universities
throughout the United States. His students have found success in competitions, won
positions in military bands, and serve as music educators.
Dr. Nichols has appeared as a featured soloist at
conferences of the International Clarinet Association, European Clarinet
Association, National Association of Collegiate Wind and Percussion Instructors
and College Music Society. Live performances have been selected for inclusion
in the Audio Performance Archive of College Music Symposium. Additionally, the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and public radio in Kansas, Vermont, New
Hampshire, New York and Michigan have broadcast both live performances and
studio recordings. In 2015, the Delaware Division of the Arts awarded Dr.
Nichols an Established Artist Fellowship in recognition for his work as a solo
recitalist. He has released solo and chamber music recordings on
internationally distributed labels including Navona Records, Viduus Records
and Albany Records, which have won praise in publications such as Gramophone,
The Clarinet, Fanfare, NACWPI Journal, De Klarinet and Pizzicato.
An active member of the National Association
for Music Education, College Music Society, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi
Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, International Clarinet Association and Music
Teachers National Association, Dr. Nichols has served as the College Music Society
Northeast Chapter’s executive board member for performance and is currently secretary of the board of directors for the International Clarinet Association.
Dr. Nichols holds a Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from
the Boston Conservatory, Master of Music from Kansas State University, and
Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas. His primary mentors
include Ian Greitzer, Kenneth Radnofsky, Steven Barta, Tod Kerstetter and
Stephanie Zelnick.
As a Légère Reeds Endorsing Artist, Silverstein Pro Team
Artist, and a Buffet Crampon USA Artist Clinician, Dr. Nichols performs
exclusively on Légère Signature Series reeds, Silverstein ligatures and Buffet
clarinets. Additionally, he is an RCW Artist and plays on RCW clarinet barrels.
