Christian Paarup

Pre-College
  • Trombone
Continuing Education
  • Trombone
Christian Paarup

Contact

Departments

Pre-College
Continuing Education

Education

Master of Music (Trombone Performance) - Manhattan School of Music

Bachelor of Music (Trombone Performance) - Baylor University

Master of Science (Sport and Performance Psychology) - University of Western States

Q&A

What ensembles have you performed with?

Finnish Radio Symphony (2021-2022), Fort Worth Symphony (frequently 2017-2023)

What is your hometown?

Azle, TX

What is your favorite recording?

Mahler Symphony No. 5 live with the New York Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel (2009). My favorite symphony performed by my teachers. Just an incredible, electric, inspirational performance!

What are you passionate about outside of music?

Exploring the Bay Area and the world with my wife, Tori (who also works at SFCM!), and our Yorkie, Frodo.

Who were your major teachers?

David Finlayson, Brent Phillips, Dennis Bubert

What is a favorite quote that you repeatedly tell students?

"If you believe you can or you can't... you're right."

What question do you wish students would ask sooner rather than later?

What are the keys to making a beautiful sound and how do I do that consistently?

What was the defining moment when you decided to pursue music as a career?

Hearing two trombone albums one after another in 7th grade: Christian Lindberg's "Romantic Trombone Concertos" and Joseph Alessi's "Illuminations"

What was a turning point in your career?

Getting the opportunity to play full-time in the Finnish Radio Symphony. A dream come true, except for it being far too short a period of time!

If you weren't a musician or teacher, what do you think you would be doing now?

I enjoy marketing, branding, logos, slogans, language.

What is your daily practice routine?

I LOVE practicing, and I especially love my daily fundamentals routine. It feels like a meditation, self-care, time for myself. I've done essentially the same basic morning routine for probably the last decade, but I'm always keeping my ear out for interesting exercises/ideas/concepts I can incorporate. What you do every day is how you play the instrument.

If you could play only three composers for the rest of your life, who would they be?

Mahler, Copland, Sibelius

What do you think makes a concert experience unique?

The silent aspect of being a concertgoer. Almost everything we do in the world requires us to be actively doing something: looking at a screen, speaking with someone, typing, tapping, etc. Going to a concert is active only in that you listen and observe (if you want). You are not required to engage or expend energy in the same way as everything else throughout your day. You can just sit, be present. Attending is a concert is a form of mindfulness and self-care. It allows you to think without pressure and simply enjoy your existence.

What recordings can we hear you on?

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra plays Adès (Ondine, 2002), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra plays Sibelius (Ondine, 2002)

Biography

Christian Paarup is a San Francisco-based trombonist and teacher. He has performed with ensembles such as the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, Utah Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Hawai’i Symphony. During the 2021-2022 season, Christian was an acting member of the acclaimed Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Helsinki. Christian is an avid chamber musician having founded Fort Worth Brass and performed with dozens of brass ensemble throughout his career. He performs frequently in the Bay Area with local chamber music ensembles, Nomad Sessions and Brass Over Bridges. He is also a member of Gusto Winds, a San Francisco Symphony Adventures in Music ensemble who performs for thousands of primary school students annually. As a passionate teacher, Mr. Paarup has worked with students of all ages and abilities. Currently serving on the trombone faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy, Mr. Paarup has also taught at Dallas College and Baylor University. Students of Mr. Paarup have earned placement in Texas All-State ensembles, received scholarships in college music programs, and performed in summer music festivals. Christian earned his degrees in trombone performance from Baylor University (BM) where he graduated magna cum laude and the Manhattan School of Music (MM) in New York City. His primary teachers are Dennis Bubert, Brent Phillips, and David Finlayson. Christian enjoys exploring the Bay Area and the world with his wife, Tori, and their big-personality Yorkie, Frodo.