Chris Becker

Director of Jazz Band
Director of Wind Ensemble
M.A. - Lindenwood University
B.M.E. - University of Missouri, Kansas City
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    • Washington University
    • CB 1030
    • One Brookings Drive
    • St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
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    Chris Becker graduated with distinction from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and earned an M.A. in Education from Lindenwood University. He began his teaching career in 1977 as an Assistant Band Director in the Park Hill School District of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1981, he moved to St. Louis and accepted the directorship of the Parkway Central High School Bands. From 1986 until 2017, Mr. Becker directed the bands at Parkway South High School. In 1986, he also began his affiliation with Washington University. Under his leadership, the Jazz Bands from Parkway Central, Parkway South, and Washington University have all performed for the Missouri Music Educators Annual Convention and have been recognized for outstanding performances at numerous jazz band festivals.  In June, 2017, Mr. Becker retired from the Parkway School District, after a total of 40 years in public education.

    In addition, he is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Manchester Community Band, and a frequent guest conductor for both concert bands and jazz bands in Missouri and Illinois.

    Mr. Becker is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Missouri Music Educators Association, and the Missouri Band Masters Association, and is Past President of the Missouri unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators. He was named "Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director of the Year" by Phi Beta Mu Band Directors Fraternity in January, 1999. He was nominated numerous times for the Pillar of Parkway Award, which recognizes commitment and dedication for work in the Parkway School District, and received a Pillar of Parkway in April, 2016. Mr. Becker was honored for his distinguished career by the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association in January, 2018, and named to their Hall of Fame.

    Professional Affiliations

    National Association for Music Education

    Missouri Music Educators Association

    Missouri Bandmasters Association

    Missouri Association for Jazz Education

    Awards

    Phi Beta Mu Band Fraternity Lambda Chapter - Outstanding Missouri Band Director of the Year - 1999

    St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Hall of Fame - 2018