Dr. Chris Combest serves as Associate Professor of Tuba and Music Industry and Director of Graduate Studies at the Middle Tennessee State University School of Music in Murfreesboro, TN, where he leads an active career as a performer and educator. In addition to teaching applied tuba, he conducts the MTSU euphonium-tuba ensemble, instructs brass chamber music, and performs with the MTSU Faculty Brass Quintet. Before joining the music faculty at MTSU, he served on the faculties of the University of Texas-San Antonio, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Principal Tuba with the Nashville Opera, Combest has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, Illinois Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Dallas Wind Symphony, the Tone Road Ramblers, and various artists, including film composer John Williams, and Broadway star Audra McDonald. In addition to his studio session work in Nashville, he can be heard on broadcasts for National Public Radio, the BBC, and recordings for Sony and Disney.  His debut solo recording, Under Tennessee Skies (2020), was awarded a Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement by the Global Music Awards (2021), and a nomination for the Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording (2021) by the International Tuba Euphonium Association. His latest solo recording, MOSAIC, released in December 2022 and was a finalist for the American Prize.

As a teacher, Dr. Combest’s students have won ITEA Competitions, placed in the artist and young artist divisions of the Leonard Falcone International Solo Competition; are members of U.S. military bands, and occupy college teaching positions. He has adjudicated in various international solo competitions, such as the Leonard Falcone Euphonium-Tuba Competition, the Asociación Española de Tubas y Bombardios, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association Competition. He has performed at various national and international conferences, festivals, and workshops including the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the Burgos Chamber Music Festival, and the U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop in Washington, D.C.

A dynamic supporter of new music, Dr. Combest has participated in the commissioning of dozens of new works for the tuba and euphonium in collaboration with such composers as Alvin Singleton, Barbara York, John Stevens, Rodney Newton, Robert Litton, James Grant, James Stephenson, and Ethan Wickman. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Tuba Competition, where he serves as the Tuba Competitions Music Chair and is a Life Member of the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA). Dr. Combest holds a B.M. from Eastern Kentucky University, an M.M. from the University of Louisville, and a D.M.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His teachers include Roger Bobo, Mark Moore, John Jones, and Jim Willett.

Chris Combest is a Performing Artist and Clinician for Melton Meinl Weston and B&S instruments.

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AS REVIEWER

“Secret Frets: Jim Shearer & Friends with Strings”. Jim Shearer, tuba. [CD Recording Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 49 No. 3 (Spring 2022), New Materials.
“Whale Songs”. Unaccompanied Tuba by Lynn Blake John. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 48 No. 4 (Summer 2021), New Materials.  
“Winding Pathway”. David Earll, tuba and Gail Novak, piano. [CD Recording Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 48 No. 4 (Summer 2021), New Materials.
“Six Etudes for Tuba”. Robert Marstellar edited by Gordon Cherry. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 48 No. 2 (Winter 2020), New Materials.  
"Sonata" for euphonium and piano by Doug Bristol. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 48 No. 2 (Winter 2020), New Materials.  
"White Christmas" by Irving Berlin and arranged for tuba-euphonium quartet by Lisa Albrecht. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 48 No. 2 (Winter 2020), New Materials.
"Stepping Stones for Tuba, Vol. 2" by Scott Watson. [CD Recording Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 48 No. 2 (Winter 2020), New Materials.
“Street-Beat” for tuba-euphonium quartet by Mike Forbes. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 47 No. 2 (winter 2019), New Materials.
“New Horizons” by the Houston Brass Quintet. [CD Recording review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 46 No. 4 (summer 2019), New Materials.
“Movere” for solo euphonium by Chris Dickey. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 46 No. 4 (summer 2019), New Materials.
“Six Album Leaves, from Op. 51” by Rheinhold Gliere. Arranged for euphonium and piano by Ralph Sauer. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 46 No. 4 (summer 2019), New Materials.
“Second Year: FlexDuets” arranged for bass clef instruments by Carl Strommen. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 45 No. 4 (summer 2018), New Materials.
“Dualities” CD Recording with Steven Darling, tuba and Naoko Tanaka, piano with Preston Light, tuba. Emeritus Records. [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 45 No. 4 (summer 2018), New Materials.
"Deep Inside the Sacred Temple". Euphonium duet and piano. Georges Bizet. Arr. Noah D. Taylor. ITEA Journal, Vol. 45 No. 2 (winter 2017), New Materials. "Agnus Dei 2 from Missa O sacrum convivium". Brass Quintet. Giovanni Palestrina. Transcribed by Michael Brown. ITEA Journal, Vol. 45 No. 2 (winter 2017), New Materials.
"When it was raining…" John Carbon. ITEA Journal, Vol. 45 No. 2 (winter 2017), New Materials.
“Ulricht from Symphony No. 2, Resurrection Symphony by Gustav Mahler and arranged for solo tuba and piano by Joseph Caladrise” [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 41 No. 2 (winter 2014), New Materials.
“Into the Void for brass quintet by Lon W. Chaffin” [Review] ITEA Journal, Vol. 41 No. 2 (winter 2014), New Materials.
“Three Madrigal Fantasias by John Ward (1572-1638) arranged for Brass Quintet by Roger C. Vogel.” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 38 No. 3 (spring 2011), New Materials.
“Echoes of Syros CD Recording by Stuart Dempster, Tom Heasley and Erik Glick” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 37 No. 3 (spring 2010), New Materials.
“18 Preludes for Tuba by Hubert Collinet (c.1797-c.1867) edited by Wesley Jacobs” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 37 No. 3 (spring 2010), New Materials.
“Practice Room Strategies” [Video] Power Lessons with the Pros, Int. Tuba Euphonium Assoc., http://www.iteaonline.org/members/pedagogy/power_lessons.php, (January, 2010), online video projects.
“Magnetics for Two Tubas by Walter Sear” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 37 No. 3 (spring 2010), New Materials.
“Cascades CD recording featuring Carol Jantsch” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 37 No. 1 (fall 2009), New Materials.
“Arabesco IV for solo tuba by Carlos Marques (Balaú)” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 36 No. 2 (winter 2009), New Materials.
“Three Perspectives for Tuba Quartet by Elizabeth Raum” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 36 No. 2 (winter 2009), New Materials.
“Voodoo for Tuba and Piano by Robert Grenier” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 36 No. 2 (winter 2009), New Materials.
“Amalthea by Brett Miller,” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 36 No. 2 (winter 2009), New Materials.
“Ave Verum Corpus by W.A. Mozart arranged by Sabourin” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 3 (spring 2008), New Materials.
“Concerto for Tuba by Darrol Barry” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 3 (spring 2008), New Materials.
“One Clear Call CD recording featuring Nick Etheridge” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 4 (summer 2008), New Materials.
“…And When I Die by Laura Nyro for tuba solo by Dave Bargeron” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 4 (summer 2008), New Materials.
“Prelude & Fugue in G minor by J.S. Bach transcribed/arranged by Sabourin” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 3 (spring 2008), New Materials.
“Cathedral Rondeau by Randy Snider” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 1 (fall 2007), New Materials.
“Three Moods for Euphonium and Piano by Barton Cummings” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 1 (fall 2007), New Materials.
“Were You There? arranged by Randy Snyder” [Review] ITEA Journal Vol. 35 No. 1 (fall 2007), New Materials.

AS EDITOR

“Toccata Marziale by Ralph Vaughan Williams” Christopher Moore. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 44 No. 3 (spring 2017)
“The German CC Tuba” Louis Kline. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 44 No. 3 (spring 2017)
“Thunder and Blazes by Julius Fucik” Jarrod Williams. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 44 No. 2 (winter 2017)
“Building 4/4 CC Horns from Vintage Instruments” Sam Gnagey. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 44 No. 2 (winter 2017)
“Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa” JoAnna Ross Hersey. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 44 No. 1 (fall 2016)
“Festival Variations by Claude T. Smith” Tormod Flaten. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 43 No. 4 (summer 2016)
“Rufford Park Poachers from Percy Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy” John Cradler. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 43 No. 3 (spring 2016)
“Hindemith’s Symphony in B-flat for Concert Band, Mvmt. 1” Scott Cameron. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 43 No. 2 (winter 2015)
“So…You Want to Add Valves to Your Tuba?” Dan Schultz. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 43 No. 2 (winter 2015)
“The Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berlioz/arr. Safranek” Adam Lessard. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 43 No. 1 (fall 2015)
“Frankentuba” Dan Schultz and T.J. Ricer. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 43 No. 1 (fall 2015)
“First Suite and Toccata Marziale” James Hicks. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 4 (summer 2015)
“Advice for young students: Choosing your first tuba” Joe Sellmansberger. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 4 (summer 2015)
“Thunder and Blazes” Lance LaDuke. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 3 (spring 2015)
“Brace Yourself!” Martin Wilk. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 3 (spring 2015)
“Aegean Festival Overture by Andreas Makris” Gregory Battista. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 2 (winter 2015)
“King Rotary Tubas” Dan Schultz. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 2 (winter 2015)
“An Unusual Reunion” John Elliot. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 1 (fall 2014)
“Percy Grainger’s Colonial Song” Jeremy McBride. Experts’ Excerpts Colum: ITEA Journal Vol. 42 No. 1 (fall 2014)
“Schoeberg’s Theme and Variations, Op. 43a Variation V” Chris Buckley. Experts’ Excerpts Colum: ITEA Journal Vol. 41 No. 3 (spring 2014)
“Holst’s First Suite in Eb for Militart Band” John Caputo. Experts’ Excerpts Colum: ITEA Journal Vol. 41 No. 2 (winter 2014)
“The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa” Lauren Veronie. Experts’ Excerpts Colum: ITEA Journal Vol. 41 No. 1 (fall 2013)
“Pineapple Poll by Arthur Sullivan and Charles Mackerras Arranged for Military Band by W.J. Duthoit, A.R.C.M.” Danny Visnon. Experts’ Excerpts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 40 No. 4 (Summer 2013)
“Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst” Lauren Veronie. Experts’ Excerpts Colum: ITEA Journal Vol. 40 No. 3 (spring 2013)
“Festive Overture by Dimitri Shostakovich” Matt Tropman. Experts’ Excerpts Colum: ITEA Journal Vol. 40 No. 2 (winter 2013)
“Cleanliness is next to…Musicality” Joe Sellmansberger. Nuts and Bolts Column: ITEA Journal Vol. 40 No. 1 (fall 2012)

AS AUTHOR

“The 32nd Annual Leonard Falcone Euphonium-Tuba Festival” [Article] ITEA Journal, Vol. 45 No. 1 (fall 2017), Feature.
“The Summer at Falcone 2014” [Article] ITEA Journal, Vol. 41 No. 3 (summer 2014), Feature.

COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES

Commissioner, Jamey Simmons “Under Tennessee Skies” for solo tuba 2020
Recorded on “Under Tennessee Skies” – Chris Combest, tuba Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Paul Osterfield “Nashville Nightlife” for tuba and percussion 2020
Recorded on “Under Tennessee Skies” – Chris Combest, tuba Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Brian Mueller “Becoming” for tuba and vibraphone 2020
Recorded on “Under Tennessee Skies” – Chris Combest, tuba Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Barbara York “Tennessee Journey” for tuba and piano 2020
Recorded on “Under Tennessee Skies” – Chris Combest, tuba Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Brad Baumgardner “Broken Echoes” for solo tuba 2020
Recorded on “Under Tennessee Skies” – Chris Combest, tuba Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Evan Zegiel “Synchronous Fireflies” for tuba, piano 2020
Recorded on “Under Tennessee Skies” – Chris Combest, tuba Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Ben Miles “Mutations” for tuba and electronic media 2019
Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Frank Gulino “Low Blow” for unaccompanied contrabass 2018
trombone or tuba. Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Ben McMillan “Tomes 3” for tuba and electronic media 2018
Cimmaron Music Press.
Commissioner, Frank Gulino “Onwards and Upwards” for tuba and piano 2017
Premiered: U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop 2/2/2018 Cimarron Music Publishing
Commissioner, Rusty Banks, “Not a Gun” for tuba and electronic media 2015
Cimmaron Music Press. Commissioner, Tuba and Wind Ensemble Consortium 2015
Charles Booker, “Titan Concerto” for tuba and wind ensemble
Potenza Music Publishing
Commissioner, John Stevens “The Five Muses” Consortium 2014 Editions BiM
Commissioner, Potenza Consortium Project 2013
James Grant, “Three More Furies for Solo Tuba” Potenza Music Publishing
Commissioner, Potenza Consortium Project 2013
Ethan Wickman, “Three Visions of El Greco”
Concerto for Tuba and Wind Ensemble Potenza Music Publishing
Commissioner, Trio Consortium Project 2013
James Stephenson, “Vast and Curious” for horn, tuba and piano James Stephenson Music Publications
Commissioner, “Songs without Words” Project 2013
James Grant, “10 Blind Dates for Solo Tuba” Premiered: Midwest Tuba Euphonium Conference, Bloomington, IL Potenza Music Publishing Commissioner, Eric Guinivan, “PUSH” for Solo tuba and piano 2012
Holben Publishing Company
Commissioner, Composer Commission 2011
Rodney Newton, “From the Depths” for tuba and piano Premiered: International Tuba Euphonium Conference, Linz, Austria
Commissioner, Facebook Tuba Consortium Project 2008
James Meador, “Apocalyptic Voices” for tuba and piano
Meador Music Publications

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