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?

Most of the Bay Area orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet; Finnish Radio Symphony (2021-22); regularly with the Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, Utah Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, & Hawai'i Symphony

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, educator, and mental performance consultant. He has performed with renowned ensembles such as the San Francisco Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Dallas Symphony, and Utah Symphony. Passionate about chamber music, Christian is a founding member of Fort Worth Brass and regularly performs with Bay Area groups like Nomad Session and Brass Over Bridges. As an educator, Christian serves on the trombone faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy and has previously taught at Dallas College and Baylor University. He has mentored students who have won positions in Texas All-State Bands and earned scholarships at top music institutions nationwide. Christian is the founder and director of the Trombone Choir of North Texas and conducts the first-ever SFCM Continuing Education Low Brass Choir, working with musicians of all ages to develop their artistry and discipline. Christian holds degrees in trombone performance from Baylor University (BM, magna cum laude) and the Manhattan School of Music (MM). He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sport & Performance Psychology from the University of Western States, helping musicians build confidence and mental resilience through his business, Performance Forte. Christian enjoys traveling and exploring the Bay Area with his wife, Tori, and their energetic Yorkie, Frodo.
 

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