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Chris Thompson

@masterchristopher_

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Master is a verb
Composer. Percussionist. Lyricist.
Notated Rap. Music Desegregation.
📚 DMA Candidate @peabodyinstitute
🎵 Professor @cunyedu

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Congratulations to Christopher Thompson, DMA candidate in music composition at Peabody, on winning the Michael Morgan Prize from the San Francisco Symphony's Emerging Black Composers Project!

The $15,000 commission includes mentorship and a workshop with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, leading to a premiere of his new work with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall during the 2027 to 2028 season.

Thompson's project "Music Desegregation" blends contemporary art music, jazz, and percussion with notated rap, a bold, genre-bending voice we're proud to see recognized on this stage.

Read the full article in the link in bio.

#PeabodyProud by @masterchristopher_

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2 months ago

🚨 New Music Spotlight🚨
Shadows Uplifted by Christopher L. Thompson (@masterchristopher_)

“They were shadows, not because they were too small, but because the world built walls too tall…”

Christopher Thompson’s Shadows Uplifted merges contemporary chamber orchestra with notated rap, hip-hop, jazz, and modern percussion traditions, blurring the boundaries between genres with a voice that is entirely his own.

Across three vivid episodes, Shadows Uplifted explores rhythmic perspectives drawn from jazz, contemporary classical music, film scoring, percussion ensemble writing, and 2000s hip-hop. Thompson weaves these influences into a powerful narrative: illuminating the injustices of the past, honoring overlooked historical figures, and paying tribute to Missouri native Maya Angelou, whose words inspire kindness, love, and freedom.

Through both word and sound, Shadows Uplifted encourages us not only to be a light, but to shine a light that uplifts the shadows.

Composer Christopher L. Thompson (aka “Master Christopher”) is a multi-disciplinary performer-composer whose work dissolves genre boundaries through notated rap, jazz, percussion, and contemporary art music. His work has appeared at the John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival, PASIC, Eurovision, and with symphonies across the country.

🎧 Experience the piece
🔗 in bio

#NewMusic #ContemporaryMusic #alarmwillsound #pushmusic #hiphop by @masterchristopher_

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10 months ago

Snippet of Anomaly for notated rap and the one and only @bergamotquartet ‼️

Full video coming soon…

🎥: Jaze Matteo Wharton @jazematteo
🎚️: Aaron Zimmer @azimmermusic

#composers #newmusic #blackcomposers #classicalmusic #DMA #contemporaryclassicalmusic #rap by @masterchristopher_

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2 years ago

So grateful to perform a concert at PASIC this November, featuring notated rap and an all-star ensemble to throw down with me! We will present multiple new works and celebrate the 5th anniversary of Music Desegregation. It’s going down Saturday, Nov. 14th at 1pm in Sagamore Ballroom!!! #PASIC2026 @percussivearts

Abby Fisher @abbyplaysperc
Matthew Lau @matthewlaumusic
@fisherlauproject
Xavier Ware @breedxdrums
Ethan Strickland @land_of_strick
Lamon Lawhorn @crunchybdrummin
And more!!!
@drumset_magazine by @masterchristopher_

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a month ago

Congratulations to #KCC music lecturer Christopher L. Thompson a.k.a. @masterchristopher_ for being named the winner of the @sfsymphony's Emerging Black Composers Project (EBCP) Award!

As part of the award, the San Francisco Symphony will perform the world premiere of Thompson's commissioned work—the first-ever concerto for notated rap and orchestra—during its 2027-2028 season at Davies Symphony Hall. Thompson will also receive a $15,000 commissioning fee, mentorship from EBCP committee members, and resources to workshop his piece with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a supporting partner of the program.

Learn more about Thompson's remarkable achievement, how he began to compose #notatedrap for orchestra, and what to expect from his new KCC class offered this fall, Introduction to Hip Hop: Music, History, and Culture.

🔗Link in bio!

📷: Ricky A. Richardson

#brooklynscommunitycollege by @masterchristopher_

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2 months ago

🚪❄️ : Door 3 :
Today’s door opens onto Shadows Uplifted by Christopher (Chris L.) Thompson captured live at the 2025 Mizzou International Composers Festival. (@mizzounewmusic)

This excerpt features a rare composer–composer duet:
Chris L. Thompson and Alarm Will Sound’s Chris P. Thompson, trading rhythmic language, precision, and heat across two percussion setups.

“Shadows Uplifted” merges contemporary chamber music with notated rap, jazz, hip-hop, and percussion traditions. Drawing on a wide range of influences from Maya Angelou’s words to the legacy of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine, it shines a light on histories often pushed into the margins. The work explores how darkness and illumination coexist, how rhythm becomes testimony, and how music can both witness and uplift.

A North Carolina–born, Philadelphia-based artist, Chris L. Thompson (@masterchristopher_) is a multi-disciplinary performer-composer whose work continually expands what genre can be. His practice spans concert halls, jazz festivals, PASIC, Eurovision, symphonic collaborations, and community-centered performance through his organization M.A.P.S. He is currently pursuing his DMA at Peabody and teaches at CUNY Kingsborough, while serving on the board of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists.

More sounds behind tomorrow’s door… ❄️✨

#AlarmWillSound #MICF2025 #PushMusic #NewMusic #Percussion by @masterchristopher_

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10 months ago

"Merging and combining genre in a genuine and authentic way is not easy, as it requires a deep respect, understanding, and reverence of the styles involved, but if done correctly, it can be a key to increase diversity and representation within classical music."

I CARE IF YOU LISTEN contributor Katie Brown sits down with the percussionist and composer Christopher Thompson for 5 Questions interview, exploring genre and the composer's vision of classical music. Visit our website to read the full interview!

@masterchristopher_, @sfsymphony, @kaybee727 by @masterchristopher_

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2 months ago

Which is your favorite? 1, 2, or 3,? Comment below!

1. Rachmaninoff
2. Caged Birds
3. Revelations

Music Desegregation by Master Christopher streaming on all platforms. Link in the bio.

#composer #musician #drums #jazz #percussion #hiphop #rap #classical #talentedmusicians #piano by @masterchristopher_

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3 years ago

The SF Symphony is thrilled to announce that Christopher Thompson is the winner of the sixth annual Emerging Black Composers Project (EBCP) prize! The Symphony will give the world premiere of his commissioned work during the 2027–28 season.

🎉 Congratulations Christopher!

Learn more about the Emerging Black Composers Project at the link in our bio.

📷: Ricky A. Richardson taken in San Francisco Symphony by @masterchristopher_

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3 months ago

SPHINX!!! @sphinxorg I can not thank you enough! My first SphinxConnect has been nothing short of a spectacular experience. Thank you all for your support, kindness, and generosity of spirit throughout the weekend! Thank you to the @havana_quartet for your superb playing, and to all of the staff for your hard work and dedication.

For so long, I have performed my music in classical environments that had few people of color. Overtime, you begin to bury so much about yourself. To be amongst so many of us that are excelling, pushing the boundaries, and reimagining this field is a dream come true. Sphinx felt like home, it was freeing, it was inspiring, and I didn’t know just how much I needed this.

To everyone who I have met, who enjoyed my music, who get the vision, who gave me wisdom, advice, and encouragement, I am truly thankful for you. Please stay in touch and let’s keep the conversation going, let’s collaborate and create new opportunities, and let’s continue to be the change we want to see!

This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what will grow from this. Remember that authenticity is the key to purpose, and I look forward to coming back for years to come!🙏🏾🙏🏾💪🏾💪🏾✊🏾

-MC by @masterchristopher_

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8 months ago

For the next nine days, I’m posting newly remastered versions of each video of the Music Desegregation project!

Support the Music Desegregation project in the link bio! You can also purchase new Hoodies, T-shirts, & sheet music. Enjoy!

This is "Institutions (feat. @coldsteeldrummers) by Master Christopher"

#musicdesegregation #rap #classical #jazz #marimba #vibraphone #percussion #talentedmusicians by @masterchristopher_

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4 years ago

@fisherlauproject is honored to join Christopher Thompson @masterchristopher_ for his PASIC clinic/performance “Notated Rap: The Future of Merging Hip Hop with Classical Music” in November in Indianapolis!

We are very excited to perform “Caged Birds the Most Heard” by and with Chris! See you at PASIC 2026! taken in PASIC - Indiana Convention Center by @masterchristopher_

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2 months ago