Christian Allen is a freelance percussionist working throughout Virginia, the eastern United States, and abroad.  His wide experience with classical percussion, marching percussion, drumset, and 18th century military music sets him apart as a versatile performer and instructor.  As an enthusiastic musician fully dedicated to his craft, he pursues excellence in both performance and education.

 

For the past few years, Christian has been active in teaching and performing nationally and abroad.  Currently, he is working with the Grafton High School and Warhill High School percussion programs as the battery coordinator and classroom instructor.  Outside of the classroom, he teaches privately to students from across the Virginia Peninsula.

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As a performer, Christian currently plays with the Seven Cities Soul Connection, various jazz combos, the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble, and Field Musick Virginia.

 

"His wide experience. . . sets him apart as a versatile musician.  As an enthusiastic musician fully dedicated to his craft, he pursues excellence in both performance and education."

 

Prominent performances include performing for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Wintergreen Summer Music Orchestra, the U.S. Ambassador to France, various French dignitaries, tour of the Baltic States with the CNU Wind Ensemble (the first college ensemble to do so), performances across the U.S. with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, the CNU Percussion Ensemble with Kevin Bobo, various shows at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, on Carnival Cruise Lines, the New Musicals Lab at CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, and Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman Chief Justice.  Christian can also be heard on Kuuvalgel: Wind Music of Estonia with the CNU Wind Enemble, on Shadowed, a recording of Euphoniumist Joel Collier's brass band, as well as with the Fifes and Drums of York Town on the  Heritage to Horizons album produced by the US Air Force Heritage of America Band.

 

Mr. Allen studied music at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA under the tutelage of percussionists Doug Wallace, Dr. Annie Stevens, and Joshua Bowman, as well as under the baton of Dr. Mark Reimer.  While studying, Christian became the principal percussionist for the percussion studio performing with the university orchestra, the wind ensemble, concert band, percussion ensemble, marching band, big band, and various jazz combos.  He graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Instrumental Education as well as Percussion Performance. Christian has also been a student of Mark Reilly of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Dominick Cuccia of the West Point Hellcats, Carter McLean from The Lion King on Broadway and Charlie Hunter, touring and session artist George Sluppick of the City Champs and Charlie Hunter Trio, and Jae Sinnett

 

Aside from music, Christian Allen also enjoys state and national parks, local history, reading, and outdoor recreation.