Chris Massa
(Percussionist 1995-1999)
Chris was commissioned in 2006 to compose an orchestral work to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the York Youth Symphony Orchestra. His composition, called Jubilee was performed for the first time on April 19, 2007 by the YYSO. It was an incredible success.
Chris Massa’s first musical training was as a percussionist. He studied with Dave Hershey, Jeff Stabley and Clyde Lucas, was a member and section leader of both the York Junior and York Youth Symphony Orchestras, and was a member of District Orchestra, District Band, and District Jazz Band in 1998. While a student at Dover Area High School, he studied music theory with Jeff Snyder and had opportunities to write for both the instrumental and choral music programs. Having decided to pursue a career as a composer, he graduated with honors in 1999. While at West Chester University, Chris studied percussion with Chris Hanning, music theory with James McVoy, and composition with Robert Maggio, Larry Nelson and Mark Rimple. Chris graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.M. in music composition in 2003.
Chris’s commissioned works include music for bands, orchestras, choirs, chamber ensembles, and instrumental soloists. Two choral works of his, Missa Brevis and All Flesh Is Grass, have been published by Mark Foster Music. Chris currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA, where is he busy doing things that will, hopefully, contribute to a lengthier biography.
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