Jackson Kubaszyk

Christopher Martin
Brass Artist Research Project

Christopher Martin is the principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since
2005. Prior to that, he served as principal trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and
associate principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. He studied under Barbara
Butler and Charles Geyer, esteemed trumpet pedagogues, at the Eastman School of Music,
earning a BM with performers certificate. He has been on faculty at Northwestern University
(Chicago Symphony Orchestra).
He grew up in Marietta, Georgia alongside his brother Michael Martin, another famed
trumpet player. Michael Martin is currently serves as Third/Utility Trumpet of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. He also studied under Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer at Northwestern
University following their tenure at Eastman (Boston Symphony Orchestra). In both brothers
younger years, they participated in Drum Corps International. Michael Martin played and now
works with the Cavaliers, and Chris Martin played with the Spirit of Atlanta.
Christopher Martins career is primarily cited in the orchestral world; however, he does
perform as a soloist occasionally with major orchestras. Most notably, he performed as a soloist

Jackson Kubaszyk
with the National Symphony Orchestra under the composer John Williams for the soundtrack for
the major motion picture, Lincoln on With Malice Toward None (Williams). Another notable
experience of Chris Martins solo career was his performance of the premier of A Tribute to
Adolph Bud Herseth written by Jim Stevenson at the International Trumpet Guild Conference
in 2013. Most recently, he performed the world premier of Heimdalls Trumpet, a concerto
commissioned for him in 2012 (Chicago Symphony Orchestra).
Since Mr. Martins solo career is limited, there are limited recordings that feature him
primarily; however, there are numerous recordings that feature the brass section of the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra. These include Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Live from 2011 and
Prokofiev: Suite from Romeo and Juliet from 2014. In addition to these, the Gabrielli
National Brass Ensemble recording from 2015 is a fantastic demonstration of extraordinary
brass playing that includes Christopher Martin. Lastly, the Lincoln soundtrack from 2012 best
exemplifies the amazing sound that Mr. Martin holds (Chicago Symphony Orchestra).
The most fascinating and very recent news regarding Chris Martin was released only
days ago. According to Last Row Music, Chris will be taking a leave of absence from his
position in Chicago to temporarily fill the first chair of the New York Philharmonic. In a personal
conversation with Ethan Bensdorf, the acting associate principal trumpet in New York, Chris was
rumored to have been moving from Chicago to New York. If he moves, he will be one of two
trumpet players ever to be a member of the CSO and the New York Philharmonic. The other is
Phil Smith (Last Row Music).
In my personal time spent listening to Chriss playing as a soloist and an orchestral
principal player, I have deduced that he is my model for sound. Particularly in his solo work, his
vibrato and and sweet cornet-like tone have set him apart from hundreds of other candidates for

Jackson Kubaszyk
his job. In addition to his sound, his ease in playing, a common trait among students of Barbara
Butler and Charles Geyer, distinguish him as a true master of his instrument.

Discography is listed in the top paragraph of page 2.

Works Cited
"| Boston Symphony Orchestra | Bso.org." | Boston Symphony Orchestra | Bso.org. N.p., n.d.
Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
"Brass Arranger, Brass Caption Head." Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. The Cavaliers Drum
and Bugle Corps, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
"Chicago Principal Trumpet to Take Leave of Absence." Last Row Music. N.p., 21 Apr. 2016.
Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
"CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: TRUMPET." Chicago Symphony Orchestra. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Williams, John. WILLIAMS, J.: Lincoln (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Chicago
Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, J. Williams). Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Naxos
Digital Services US Inc., 2013. CD.