Born February 6, 1969 in Austin, Texas, Christopher began his musical and performing life with piano lessons at age 7 and sang in his first children's church choir at age 9. As a child he performed on stage (Dallas Theater Center) and screen (Semi-Tough with Burt Reynolds and Cotton Candy, directed by Ron Howard), also appearing in national print advertisements. He began writing songs immediately after picking up guitar and bass lessons (and thus discovering his life's passion) as a freshman in high school. He commenced serious composition at age 18 and classical bass studies at age 19, including studying jazz and taking lessons on several instruments and voice while a student at the University of North Texas. He is a 1994 graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a Bachelor of Music in Composition. In addition to bass lessons with Tom Lederer (of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and master classes with Eugene Levinson (principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic) and Edgar Meyer at The Julliard School, he most recent bass teachers are Orin O'Brien (of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra) and Chris Mathers.

His works, composed for a wide variety and combination of instruments-ranging from traditional/classical to contemporary/avant garde-have been performed at an eclectic array of venues in New York, Texas and Ohio. Christopher's commissions for and collaborations with dance companies/choreographers include Deep Ellum Opera Theatre, Theatre On Elm Street, Park Cities Performing Arts Center, Loris Anthony Beckles (for Nova Dancing Company), Valerie Alpert & Company, Michelle Lee Adams and Greenspan. His first film score was for The Tip, an independent film which was accepted into the 1998 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin and received honors at the 1997 Houston International Film Festival. His theater composition credits include a score for The American Globe Theater's off-Broadway production of The Three Musketeers (supported by a grant from Meet The Composer) and his composition and performance for The Husbands, presented by the 1998 New York International Fringe Festival. Several of Christopher's more youthful commissions can be heard on Public Television Workshop's international programming of Sesame Street^®.

In addition to his solo performances, Christopher's work has been performed by New Arts Collective, Severed Ear String Quartet, Venus String Quartet, Tecesca Players, M Street Quartet, and his bands blue skye (as recorded/released on his independent label, schizophonic music); and north. As a freelance bassist, he has performed with The Dixie Chicks, members of the New Bohemians, Irving Symphony Orchestra, Garland Symphony Orchestra, San Angelo Symphony, Turtle Creek Chorale, Centre Symphony Orchestra, as principal bass of Albert Einstein Symphony Orchestra, New England Symphonic Ensemble, Brooklyn Heights Orchestra,as well as Theater for The New City and Theatre Three. Christopher tours internationally with the blue mockingbirds (featuring former members of Living Colour and Modern English), playing keyboards. He sings with New York Choral Artists, Metropolitan Singers, Concert Chorale of New York, The Russian Chamber Chorus and St. Bartholomew's Church including regular performances at venues including Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. In addition to recording/editing for independent artists in his private studio in Manhattan, Christopher also teaches bass, guitar and voice in his studio and at the 92nd Street Y School of Music.

Recording, recording, recording ...

"opus no. 0", the cd of cnr's chamber music and art song including all the works on his February 16th, 2001 Recital at the 92nd st Y, were recorded at L. R. P. studios in March / April and will be released on a Schizophonic Music CD later this year. Mixing/Mastering have been completed, just the artwork remains to be done. This recording brought together these extremely talented musicians: Pauline Kim, violin; Conrad Harris, violin; Boris Deviatov, viola; Grace Lin, cello; Noreen Polera, piano; Cory Scott Colton, tenor/poet and the composer himself, christopher north renquist on double bass. The recording features a new quintet (with Schubert's 'Trout' instrumentation), several art songs with words by Cory Scott Colton (the tenor/poet will sings his own words), new versions of two violin works (originally conceived/created in dance collaborations), as well as some old favorites, including the exotic "smara chakra" for string quartet (check out the mp3 excerpts on this website) and an intense elegy for cello and piano.

"de la sur", the cd of pop songs by cnr recorded throughout most of 2000 (and some of 2001) is completed. Four of the 12 + songs feature the band north, the rest is cnr singing all the voices (including a 16 voice choral prelude) and playing all the instruments. Just some final touches on the mix are being made. Mastering and Artwork remain to be done. Plans for a December Release are under way.

"Schizophonic music" is registered trademark. Soon there will be little circled r's all over this site. (As well as for "Christopher North", the trademark status of which is pending.) Cudos to Mitch Bernstein.

Thursday, September 20, 2001 - 7:00 pm
cnr sings Brahms' German Requiem with the New York Choral Artists / NY Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall in a Special "live from lincoln center" national tv / radio broadcast concert benefiting WTC relief.

Saturday September 29, 2001 - 10:00 pm
cnr plays electric bass with friend and north band mate philipclark at the baggot inn.

Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 8:00 pm
cnr sings with the New York Concert Chorale / Amercian Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center.

Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 10:00 pm
cnr plays keyboards with the Blue Mockingbirds at Don Hill's for CMJ.

Monday, October 15, 2001 - 10:00 pm
cnr plays keyboards with Merseyside at the Elbow Room for CMJ.

Thursday, Oct. 13 - Monday, Oct 15
recording of howard katz cd at dangerous music studios for oof-tone records (Berlin). cnr plays bass and guitar as well as organ, harmonica and sitar overdubs.

Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 6:30 pm
cnr sings Wagner's Tristan with the New York Choral Artists / Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Thursday, Oct. 15 - Saturday, Oct. 17, 2001 - 8:00 pm
cnr sings Shostakovich's Symphony #13 "Babi Yar" with the New York Choral Artists / NY Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center.

Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 6:30 pm recital & 8:00 pm concert
cnr plays bass with New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.

Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
cnr plays bass with New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in two separate programs.

Sunday, December 9, 2001 - 2:00 pm
cnr plays bass with Albert Einstein Symphony Orchestra in the Bronx.

In addition to the 2 Cds of cnr's music that will be released this year, many other Cds that fearture cnr as a instrumentalist and / or vocalist will be released this Fall. These include:

Bachelor of Music in Music Composition, Southern Methodist University (1992-1994)

University of North Texas, 90+ hours toward honors Bachelor of Music (1987-1991)

CNR's Teachers

Voice

Student of Tommy Haywood, Metropolitan Opera Baritone, Professor of Voice @ SMU

Student of Richard Hobson, Metropolitan Opera Bass-Baritone, frmr. Prof. of Voice @ UNT

Double Bass

Student of Tom Lederer, Principal Bassist of Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Symposium participant of Jeff Bradetich, Professor of Double Bass at UNT

Student of Orin O'Brien, Bassist for the NY Philharmonic, Prof. @ Manhattan & Mannes

Masterclass attendee of Eugene Levinson, Principal Bassist for the NY Phil., Prof. @ Julliard

Masterclass attendee of Edgar Meyer

Student of Chris Mathers, Professor of Double Bass at New School

Guitar

Student of Fred Hamilton, Professor of Guitar and Bas at UNT

Student of Paul Johnson, Professor of Guitar at UNT

Student of Polly Maynard, Professor of Guitar at UNT and Professional Recital Artist

Teacher

Public:

92nd Street Y , New York NY (1997-Present)

American Music Studio, New York NY (October 1999 - Present)

Sam Ash Music Center, New York NY (February 1998-March 1999)

Richardson Independent School District, Richardson TX (1996-1997)

Mesquite Independent School District, Mesquite TX (1995-1997)

Episcopal School of Dallas, Dallas TX (1993-1997)

Instruction includes primarily bass lessons, but also guitar lessons/class and voice lessons.

Private:

Personal studio (over 80 students), Denton TX, Dallas TX & NYC (1991-Present)

Instruction includes individual bass (electric, acoustic), drums/percussion, guitar, voice, songwriting, theory and composition lessons.

Schizophonic Music is the moniker for christopher north renquist's independent record label.

S.M. has been the label on all releases of his music since 1994 including cd and cassette format recordings of songs and collaboarations (primarily dance and film). Plans for future S.M. releases inlude a cd compilation of cnr's dance collaborations and more pop songs of north and solo cnr. Other upcoming recordings include another chamber music cd.

Eventually S.M. will feature cnr as producer of other artists work.

The Husbands (world premiere in August, 1998 at the New York International Fringe Festival) live score/sound design (one musician) for the Christopher Logue play, directed by Elysa Marden, produced by Richard Ryan/Verse Productions

Thrusting Through (1997-1998) a concert performed in collaboration with choreographer Michelle Lee Adams with bass, harmonica, voice, guitar and sound design, presented by The Public Domain Theatre, Austin TX & Park Cities Performing Art Center, Dallas TX and presented at the New York International Fringe Festival (August 1998)

suddenly green (1998) for recorder, guitar, and percussion (one performer/dancer) commissioned by the Field and choreographer Sherri Greenspan for the Dancing in the Streets Festival at Wave Hill , Bronx NY

Seuss Suites (1998) multi-instrumental score/sound design for dance commissioned by Valerie Alpert and Company, Columbus OH

i take nights in the middle of my walk (1997-1998) for double bass, guitar and percussion (one performer), commissioned by choreographer Sherri Greenspan, presented at Joyce Theater Soho , NYC

The Tip (1997) multi-tracked double bass and piano score for short film produced and directed by NY-based Kahvan Mashayekh premiered at the Independent Film Festival, Houston, TX, official entry in the 1998 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin, TX and in the 1998 Houston International Film Festival, Houston, TX

What Are You Afraid Of?(1997) multi-instrumental score/sound design for dance commissioned by Valerie Alpert and Company, Columbus OH

Brahms-Renquist Construct (1997) multi-instrumental/ambient sound composition, commissioned by Nova Dancing Company, Dallas TX

Through (1996) for double bass, commissioned by Deep Ellum Opera Theatre's New Dance Meets New Music concert, Dallas TX

A Joyful Noise (1995) for organ, written for the Fall Music Festival at Lakewood United Methodist Church, Dallas TX

Seed (1995) for violin, multi-media collaboration with choreographer Michelle Lee Adams for performance by New Arts Collective, Dallas TX

A Wakening (1995) for double bass and dancers with handbells, written for New Arts Collective, Austin TX and Dallas TX, also presented at St. Michael's Church, NYC (May, 1998)

Elegy (1994) for cello and piano, written for performance at Southern Methodist University's 1994 Baccalaureate ceremony, SMU McFarlin Auditorium, Dallas TX

Pastorale (1992-1994) for flute and guitar, performed at Chamber Music Festival at Lakewood United Methodist Church, Dallas TX

Calling Dogs (1994) for five whistlers, written for New Arts Collective, Austin TX & Dallas TX

Eve of Eve (1994) for violin, commissioned by choreographer Michelle Lee Adams for The Dancers' Gallery concert, Grapevine TX

Smarachakra and Other Passions (1994) for string quartet, written for The Severed Ear String Quartet's Club Dada concert, Dallas TX

Singer/Songwriter (schizophonic music, BMI)

"Sitting up on Momma's Lap" Sesame Street Int'l song

blue skye, yesterday's yesteryear blues (1994) 10 track self-produced CD

bue skye, something for nothing (1992) 3 track self-produced demo tape

lost cause, hey kids. . . (1987) 4 track self-produced tape

lost cause, of sentimental value . . (1985) 4 track self-produced tape

Bassist

Ensemble

Pan American Symphony Orchestra, New York NY (Dec. 1999 Merkin Hall) Principal Double Bass

Brooklyn Heights Orchestra, Brooklyn NY (June 1998 - present) Principal Double Bass

Irving Symphony Orchestra , Irving TX (1992-1997)

Garland/Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Garland TX (1993-1997)

New Philharmonic of Irving, Irving TX (1996-1997))

Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Dallas TX (1992-1996)

Bands

M Street Quartet (jazz, standards) Acoustic and electric bass

blue skye (original rock/funk/pop/soul) Singer/songwriter, acoustic/electric bass

Surf Salsa (original/contemporary latino pop/folk) Acoustic/electric bass, vocals/arranging

Tablet (Mercury recording artists, alternative rock) Electric bass, vocals

The Dixie Chicks - Monument Recording Artitsts (Bluegrass/country) Acoustic bass

Cowboys & Indians - (blues, rockabilly, Texas swing) Acoustic bass, vocals

Pink Fish - (funk-jazz improvisation feat. New Bohemians John Bush and Kenny Withrow) Acoustic and electric bass

Recording

Meadows Sym. Orch., New Music with Guitar (1993) Section bass

Tonya Cordobes, Looking Back, Thinking Ahead (1994) Electric and fretless bass, arranging

blue skye, yesterday's yesteryear blues (1995) Singer/songwriter, bass, keys, gtr & mixing

Surf Salsa, Surf Salsa (1995) Acoustic/electric/fretless bass, arranging

Sonya Renee, Blue (1995) Bass and piano, arranging

Score for Brian Dequibellis' film Be Mine Forever (1998) Acoustic Bass

Enid Levine, Upcoming Independent Release (2000) Acoustic/electric/fretless bass, nylon, steel and 12 string guitar, harmonica, vocals

Musicals - Dallas TX and New York NY (1986-Present)
Acoustic and electric bass

Titanic Gateway Playhouse

Pirates or Go for the Gold - Theater for the New City

Always...Patsy Cline; Assassins; The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Theatre Three

Closer Than Ever - Dallas Repertory Theatre

Wizard of Oz; Little Shop of Horrors; Naked Man - Turtle Creek Chorale

Comedy of Errors - Shakespeare In The Park

Miscellaneous

Professional Music Affiliations
   Union Member, American Federation of Musicians/Local 802
   Union Member, American Guild of Musical Artists

schizophonic music, Dallas TX and New York NY (1993-Present)

Metropolitan Singers w/ the Little Orchestra Society, New York NY (Alice Tully Hall Performance)

Concert Chorale of New York, New York, NY (Avery Fisher Hall Performances with ASO)

New York Choral Artists, New York NY (present, including perf. with New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hudson Valley Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam)

Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York NY (1999 Duke Ellington Sacred Music at Alice Tully Hall)

The Russian Chamber Chorus (1997, Carnegie Hall Performance)

John Link Vocal quintet, New York NY (August 1997-March 1998)

City Church, New York NY, substitute/"ringer" (December 1997-present)

Christ United Methodist Church, New York, NY, substitute/"ringer" (December 1998)

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, New York, NY, substitute/"ringer" (January 1999)

St. Bartholomew's Church, NewYork, NY, substitute/"ringer" (October 1998 - present)

Recordings

John Link Vocal quintet
1998 St. Peters Church Performance, released Feb. 2000.
cnr is featured on the following cuts available at mp3.com:
"Bydlo" from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", "Pipes I", "Lament", "Blues"
If you are interested in purchasing this great CD go to Paypal.

Mens choral works from the Robert Shaw / Alice Parker catalog for Melodius Accord Inc. at Riverside Church. www.aliceparker.com

Guitarist

Multi-instrumentalist

Photographer

(Child) Actor Resume

TV commercials

Film

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