Chris Schroeder

Chris Schroeder

Executive Director, Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program
Arts Coordinator, Boston Public Schools

  Biography

Boston-based musician, educator, and advocate Christopher Schroeder is a catalyst for social change through music and arts education. With over a decade of arts leadership and teaching experience, he has successfully established programs and influenced music ecosystems within the Boston community and throughout the United States. He currently serves as Executive Director for the Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program (JQOP) and an Arts Coordinator for the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Most recently, he was recognized as a Boston Future Leader by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and a quarter-finalist for the 2019 Grammy Music Educator Award. He currently serves as a Module Director for the Global Leaders Program and is a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Europe, and South America and a member of the Conn Selmer, Inc. Educational Support team and CSI Faculty.

As an experienced conductor and trumpeter, Schroeder connects and inspires musicians of all ages to achieve their highest level of musicianship, while instilling character traits that transcend rehearsal and performance spaces. As a nationally-recognized speaker and consultant, he works together with arts leaders and educators on organizational strategy, program development/implementation, interdisciplinary curriculum design, and community engagement.

Prior to this appointment at JQOP and BPS, he was the Director of Community Engagement & Resident Artist for Conservatory Lab Charter School since the inception of its El Sistema music program in 2010; Music Director of the Cape Youth Orchestra with the Cape Symphony & Conservatory; Program Manager and Faculty for Longy School of Music of Bard College’s El Sistema Side-by-Side Program; and National Teaching Faculty with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA National Youth Orchestra.

  Session Titles

Composing Compassionate Citizens: Engaging your Ensembles in Student-Driven Composition

Teacher

Student-driven composition projects increase engagement, inclusion, and creativity in any classroom and rehearsal. It also provides an opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions around social issues and equip your students with tools to express their emotions and raise awareness around issues that are important to them. Participants are asked to bring their own instrument and voice and be ready to make original music with fellow neighbors.