Praised by Brass Bridge Magazine for his “wonderful sense of musicianship and virtuosic technique,” Dr. Chris Combest is Associate Director of the Middle Tennessee State University School of Music and Associate Professor of Tuba. He provides leadership in faculty and student development, wellness, and community initiatives while maintaining an active career as a performer and educator. He also serves as President of the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival, one of the world's premier events for euphonium and tuba performers.

Before joining MTSU, Combest held faculty appointments at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois. At MTSU, he has developed initiatives that strengthen student engagement, faculty development, and community outreach, including founding the Greater Nashville Euphonium and Tuba Ensemble and the Middle Tennessee Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble Festival.

An active performer, Combest has served as Principal Tubist of the Louisville Orchestra, Victoria Symphony (Texas), and the Ash Lawn Opera and Wintergreen Festival orchestras. He has also performed with the Nashville Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Winds, and the U.S. Army Field Band. His collaborations include performances with composer John Williams, the Canadian Brass, and Broadway star Audra McDonald.

His recording credits include projects for NPR, the BBC, Sony, Disney, and numerous film, television, commercial, and video game productions. His solo recordings, Mosaic and Under Tennessee Skies, earned Silver Medals from the Global Music Awards, recognition from The American Prize, and nominations for the Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording from the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA).

Committed to expanding the repertoire for low brass, Combest has commissioned more than thirty new works by composers including Alvin Singleton, Katahj Copley, Maria Thompson Corley, Brian Mueller, John Stevens, and others. He is a Life Member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association and previously served as Associate Editor of the ITEA Journal, Competitions Chair, and a member of numerous international competition committees. As a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator, he appears regularly at festivals and conferences throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, including the International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC), the Leonard Falcone Festival, AETYB in Spain, and Euphonios y Tubas Brazil.

Combest's students have earned recognition in national and international competitions and have continued their studies at leading graduate institutions, including the University of Michigan, Indiana University, Boston University, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the University of North Texas. Alumni of his studio perform with professional ensembles, serve in premier military bands, teach at all educational levels, and work throughout the music industry with organizations including Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Group.

He holds degrees from the University of Illinois, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University, where he studied with Roger Bobo, Mark Moore, John Jones, and James Willett. Dr. Combest is a Performing Artist and Clinician for B&S and Melton Meinl Weston.

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PUBLISHED RECORDINGS

“The Artistry of Leonard Falcone” [producer, streaming release] – Leonard Falcone Festival | 2023
• Produced digitally remastered recordings of Euphonium Virtuoso, Leonard Falcone

“Mosaic: Chris Combest, tuba” [solo recording] – Sponsored by Buffet Group USA | 2022
• The American Prize: 3rd Place Award for Brass Performance | 2023
• Global Music Awards: Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement | 2023
• Nominated, Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording – ITEA | 2023

“Under Tennessee Skies: Chris Combest, tuba” [solo recording] | 2020
• The American Prize: Finalist | 2021
• Global Music Awards: Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement | 2021
• Nominated, Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording – ITEA | 2021

“IFC3 & Friends” [CD recording] – Music of Francaix, Gipps, Mackey, Ravel, Self and Strauss | 2018
• The International Fellowship of Collaborators, Conductors, and Composers

“Andres Cardenes - Violin Concertos of Barber, Stock, Copland” [CD recording] | 2009
• Ian Hobson/ Eduardo Diazmunoz, Sinfonia da Camera, Albany Records

"Brass Masters: Vol. XI" [CD recording] The Lexington Brass Band, Polyphonic Label | 2001

"Live from St. Louis” [CD recording] Saxton's Cornet Band, St. Louis, MO, Classics Label | 1998

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