John Adams, Igor Stravinsky, David Maslanka, Steve Reich, Bela Bartok, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, Thomas Newman, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band
Craig Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he studied composition with Stephen Heinemann. He obtained his Masters in Music Composition in 2003 from the University of Illinois in Champaign. While there, he studied composition under Stephen Taylor and Rick Taube and also served as a teaching assistant, instructing undergraduate theory and ear-training courses. Since then Craig has had the opportunity to work closely with Jack Stamp, David Maslanka, and David Holsinger.
In 2001, Craig won the Creative Division of the Bradley University Research and Creative Achievement Exhibition with Subliminal Designs, a composition designed using music notation through alternative visual representations. Craig was also a finalist in the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards in 2001 and 2003. In 2005, he was chosen as a participant in the National Band Association's Young Composer Mentor Project sponsored Bands of America.
Craig has been commissioned to write concert band literature for various Jr. High, High School, and profession bands.. His compositions for orchestra, choir, soloists, and small ensembles have been performed throughout the Midwest.
Since 2001, Craig has arranged music for competitive high school marching bands in the Midwest. Additionally, he has experience designing drill for competitive marching bands. Schools Craig arranges for have been Illinois State Class Champions and BOA Super Regional Finalists, BOA Grand National Semifinalists, and have placed in their class at BOA regional competitions.
Craig marched with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps baritone line in 1998 and has been involved with the Cavaliers brass staff. Since 2001, he has taught competitive marching brass at Morton High School, where they were recently named the 2005, 2006, and 2007 class 2A State Champions. He also maintains an extensive private brass studio, teaching trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba lessons to students of all ages. During the 2005-06 school year, Craig served as assistant director of bands at Washington Community High School. During this time, the Washington High School Symphonic winds were selected to compete at the 2006 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival for the first time.
Craig studied trombone with Hugo Magliocco at Bradley University and Elliot Chasanov at the University of Illinois. He currently performs with Opera Illinois, the Prairie Wind Ensemble, and the Peoria Municipal Band, and he was featured as a soloist in the Municipal Band’s 2004 season. Craig resides in Morton, Illinois with his wife, Katrina.
