Christopher North Renquist (born February 6, 1969), known professionally as Christopher North, is an American composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist musician. Working most notably as a film composer, he has also composed and written for orchestra, theater, dance, and children's television. North has played in Broadway theater as a bassist and guitarist.

Biography

Born Christopher North Renquist in

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...

on February 6, 1969, Christopher North is a multi-instrumental composer and singer-songwriter based in New York City. As a composer his works have been performed at venues in Europe (London, Berlin and Edinburgh) and the US (Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio, Hawaii and New York) including collaborations with filmmakers (Tribeca, Big Apple and SXSW Film Festivals), theater companies (including Workshop Theater, NY and

Edinburgh Fringe The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (also referred to as The Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, or Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is the world's largest arts and media festival, which in 2019 spanned 25 days and featured more than 59,600 performances of 3,841 dif ...

), choreographers (Wave Hill, Joyce SOHO) and concerts including the 92nd Street Y. His children's songs can be heard on the Disney Channel and Noggin, where he wrote songs for Oobi. As a genre-crossing musician, North has performed and recorded with an eclectic array of artists and ensembles. He has played bass with

Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (born March 14, 1933) is an American record producer, musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spans 70 years in the entertainment industry with a record of 80 Grammy Award n ...

, the

Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and ...

Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of country musician Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto Cash Distin, Johnny Cash's first wife. Although she is often classified as a country art ...

, various symphony orchestras as well on Broadway in The Lion King and Spring Awakening. He has sung with the

New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic, officially the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., globally known as New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO) or New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, is a symphony orchestra based in New York City. It is ...

(including the 3

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

-winning John Adams' "On the Transmigration of Souls") and for Stephen Sondheim ("Frogs" with

Nathan Lane Nathan Lane (born Joseph Lane; February 3, 1956) is an American actor. In a career spanning over 40 years he has been seen on stage and screen in roles both comedic and dramatic. Lane has received numerous awards including three Tony Awards, ...

). He has performed at venues including

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 millio ...

, Carnegie Hall,

CBGB CBGB was a New York City music club opened in 1973 by Hilly Kristal in Manhattan's East Village. The club was previously a biker bar and before that was a dive bar. The letters ''CBGB'' were for '' Country'', '' BlueGrass'', and '' Blues'', Kri ...

's and

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street, above Pennsyl ...

. He has performed on national TV (including ''

Live with Regis and Kelly ''Live with Kelly and Ryan'' (or simply ''Live'') is an American syndicated morning talk show hosted by Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. Executive produced by Michael Gelman, the ''Live with...'' show formula has aired under various hosts since ...

'' and ''Live at Lincoln Center''), and been heard on the radio (NPR, WNYC) and commercials (including Visa and Tide). He has recorded and performed extensively as a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, keyboards, harmonica, etc.) As a multi-instrumentalist, he plays traditional instruments as well as newly created boutique instruments, including the Marcodi Harpejji, the Guitarviol, the Slaperoo, the Suzuki Andes 25, bass Ukulele, Cello Banjo, a ROLI Rise, and a Veillette Gryphon. He has produced and released two albums, ''Opus Zero,'' a classical album featuring chamber music and art songs, and ''De La Sur,'' an eclectic rock/soul album. He has done sound design and music for ''The Forever Waltz'' by Glyn Maxwel, the score for

Angelica Torn Angelica Sue Page (née Torn; February 17, 1964) is an American actress, director, producer and screenwriter. She is the only daughter of actors Rip Torn and Geraldine Page. Credited as Angelica Torn in her early career, she legally and professio ...

's ''Lucky Days'' and various projects with writer and director Matthew Miele, finishing the feature-length film '' Everything's Jake'' in 2006 and ''

Eavesdrop Eavesdropping is the act of secretly or stealthily listening to the private conversation or communications of others without their consent in order to gather information. Etymology The verb ''eavesdrop'' is a back-formation from the noun ''eaves ...

'' in September 2007. His scores and albums feature world-class NYC musicians (

Eroica Trio The Eroica Trio is an American piano trio consisting of Erika Nickrenz, piano; Sara Parkins, violin; and Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello. The trio take their name from Beethoven's Eroica Symphony. They have toured and recorded widely, and released six ...

Ethel (string quartet) Ethel is a New York based string quartet that was co-founded in 1998 by Ralph Farris, viola; Dorothy Lawson, cello; Todd Reynolds, violin; and Mary Rowell, violin. Unlike most string quartets, Ethel plays with amplification and integrates impro ...

, Andy Middleton, Carol Emanuel).

Works/Recordings/Performances

Film Scores

*''Cracked Up: The Darrell Hammond Story'' – A film by Michelle Esrick, starring Darrell Hammond as himself in which Christopher North provided guitarviol bookend cues *''Lp -'' A crime short by Alexander Etseyatse *''Capturing the Flag'' – A film by Anne de Mare documenting vote registration *''Otis -'' A TV Series by Alexander Etseyatse in which North composed music for the episode ''Six Months Earlier'' *''Stopwatch -'' A short drama film by Alexander Etseyatse *''Cut Shoot Kill'' – A horror film by Michael Walker in which North composed much of his scores using the waterphone *''Addict'' – A short film by Steve Curley with an ambient score *''The Bell -'' A thriller short by Jeremy Merrifield *''Two Trains Runnin – A Grammy nominated film (Best Original Music) directed by Samuel D. Pollard and written by Benjamin Hedin. North attended the Newport Folk Festival where he performed themes from the film *''Dark Passenger: Volume 1 -'' A horror film involving six stories that center around characters dealing with their personal demons * *''The Flip -'' A drama short by Chung Lam *''The Break In -'' A horror short by Marcus Slabine *''A New High'' – A documentary film about homelessness and drug addiction directed by Samuel Miron and Stephen Scott Scapulla *''Missing People -'' A crime documentary by David Shapiro *'' All in Time'' – A drama film by Christopher Fetchko and Marina Donahue *''Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector -'' A TV series in which North composed music for 6 episodes; ''Man Is a Bad Animal, The Dark Arts, Family Business, Sisyphus, Some Sort of Sex Thing, Be the Lion'' *''Think Ink'' – A short film directed by Wally Chung and story by Emily Hu which was awarded the Spirit of Slamdance at the Slamdance Festival *''The Bear -'' A drama short by Rachael Sonnenberg *''

F(l)ag Football ''F(l)ag Football'' is a 2015 American documentary film on the National 🏳️‍🌈 Flag Football League directed by Seth Greenleaf. It documents the training of players on the NGFFL's New York Warriors team as they prepare for the 🏳️� ...

'' – A film by Seth Greenleaf starring Wade Davis, Jared Garduno, Brenton Metzler,

Cyd Zeigler Cyd Zeigler Jr. is a commentator and author in the field of sexuality and sports. Zeigler co-founded ''Outsports'' and the National Gay Flag Football League. He had a featured part in the documentary ''F(l)ag Football'' (2015). Early life and e ...

*''Inseparable -'' A drama short by Eran Evron *''Sky of the Damned'' – A TV series by Tasmin L. Silver in which North composed music for 5 episodes; ''Wake, Jillian, The FAE, Welcome to My City, Back to the Start'' *''Bird Song -'' A drama short by Rachael Sonnenberg and Max Stern *''L'Absinthe -'' A drama/thriller by Olivier Bertin *''Powerless -'' A documentary short by Adam Lawrence and Shayok Mukhopadhyay *''Bible Quiz'' – A film by Nicole Teeny which opened at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival. North's score features marimba, harpsichord, organ, guitar, percussion, glockenspiel, whistling, and various glass sounds *''Four One Nine -'' A drama short by Alexander Etseyatse *''Move'' – A documentary by Theodore Collatos *''Goodbye Brooklyn -'' A drama short by Jon-Carlos Evans *''Houston & 6th -'' A thriller short by Nyle Cavazos Garcia *''Open Call -'' A comedy short by Geoff Lerer *''The 5Boroughs -'' A comedy/drama short by Nyle Cavazos Garcia *''The Man with the Red Right Hand -'' A comedy/thriller short by Nyle Cavazos Garcia *''Put It in Your Box -'' A comedy short by Matthew D'Abate *''S&M -'' A short thriller film by Matthew D'Abate *''Werewolf -'' A horror short by Matthew D'Abate *''Bemvindo'' – A short film by Alexander Rojo *''Case Closed -'' A comedy/drama short by Kevin Stocklin *''Giant Place Detail'' – A documentary by Diana Quinones Rivera *''Mary's Journal: Episode 1 – Connected -'' A short horror/mystery film by Nyle Cavazos Garcia *''Abidjan -'' A short film by Alexander Etseyatse, premiering at 24 film festivals *''Eavesdrop: A Conversation with Writer/Director Matthew Miele -'' A video documentary short about the filming of ''Eavesdrop (2008)'' *''Cut -'' A short horror film by Matthew D'Abate *''Heart'' – A short drama film by Hugh Plantin *''Brother's Reaction -'' A short drama film by Eddie Griffith *''Nutmeg -'' A comedy short by Amy Benaroya *''

'' – A film by Matthew Miele starring

Chris Parnell Thomas Christopher Parnell (; born February 5, 1967) is an American actor and comedian. He was a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1998 to 2006 and played the role of Dr. Leo Spaceman on ''30 Rock''. In animation, he voices Cyril Figgis ...

, Tovah Feldshuh, Terennce Mann *''The Dark -'' A short horror film and another collaboration with filmmaker Nyle Cavazos Garcia *''Lucky Days'' – A film by

starring actor/writer/director Angelica Torn, Luke Zarzecki, co-director Tony Torn,

Rip Torn Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr. (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) was an American actor whose career spanned more than 60 years. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his part as Marsh Turner in '' Cross Creek'' ...

, Federico Castelluccio *'' Everything's Jake'' – A film by Matthew Miele starring

Ernie Hudson Earnest Lee Hudson (born December 17, 1945) is an American actor. His roles include Winston Zeddemore in the ''Ghostbusters'' film series, Sergeant Darryl Albrecht in ''The Crow'' (1994), and Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's '' Oz'' (1997–2003). H ...

, score performed by composer (with string quartet and saxophone) distributed by

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American Film studio, film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, Califo ...

*''Skips'' – A short film by Steve Curley, guitar and percussion score (2003) official entry in 2003

Tribeca Film Festival The Tribeca Festival is an annual film festival organized by Tribeca Productions. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, episodic, talks, music, games, art, and immersive programming. Tribeca was ...

*''Humidity'' – A short thriller film by Nyle Cavazos Garcia *''The Tip'' (1997) – Multi-tracked double bass and piano score for short film produced and directed by Kahvan Mashayekh premiered at the Independent Film Festival, Houston, Texas, official entry in the 1998 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX and in the 1998 Houston International Film Festival

Music for Dance

*''Ferrum'' (2015) a Site-Specific Project at Pioneer Works (also played at Roulette) that draws on the historical, industrial components of the Pioneer space. The project was commissioned by Carte Blanche Shandoah, Brooklyn NY *''Victorian Hypnosis at The Salon Mexicana'' (2015) immersive performance in collaboration with Atlas Obscura commissioned by Carte Blanche Shandoah in ACME Studios, Brooklyn NY *''NEIL'' (2014) site-specific performance at New York Transit Museum's Inaugural Platform series commissioned by Carte Blance Shandoah, New York NY *''Suddenly Green'' (1998) for recorder, guitar, and percussion (one musician / dancer performed by the composer) commissioned by the Field and choreographer Sherry Greenspan for the Dancing in the Streets Festival at Wave Hill, Bronx NY * ''Seuss Suites'' (1998) multi-instrumental score/sound design for dance commissioned by Valerie Alpert and Company, Columbus OH * ''I Take Nights in the Middle of my Walk'' (1997–1998) for double bass, guitar and percussion (one musician / dancer performed by the composer) commissioned by choreographer Sherry Greenspan, presented at Joyce Theater Soho, NYC * ''What Are You Afraid Of?'' (1997) multi-instrumental score/sound design commissioned by Valerie Alpert and Company, Columbus OH * ''Seed'' (1995) for violin, multi-media collaboration with choreographer Michelle Lee Adams for performance by New Arts Collective, Dallas TX

Classical/Orchestral composition

* ''Opus Zero'' (2002) by Christopher North, 13-track self-produced CD (including art song, chamber music, solo pieces) * ''Renquist'' (2007) by Christopher North, 15-track self-produced compilation of 1988–1998 works (including art song, chamber music, solo works, electronic soundscapes for dance) * Many new chamber works and Art songs for a Distinguished Artist recitals at the 92nd St Y in February 2001 and February 2008.

Jazz Composition

* 15 original jazz tunes composed for ''

'' score. Seven premiered live at February 2008 92nd Street Y recital.

Music/Sound Design for Theater

* ''The Forever Waltz'' (2005) Original music and

sound design Sound design is the art and practice of creating sound tracks for a variety of needs. It involves specifying, acquiring or creating auditory elements using audio production techniques and tools. It is employed in a variety of disciplines including ...

for the

Glyn Maxwell Glyn Maxwell (born 1962) is a British poet, playwright, novelist, librettist, and lecturer. Early life Of primarily Welsh heritage — his mother Buddug-Mair Powell (b. 1928) acted in the original stage show of Dylan Thomas's ''Under Milk Wood'' ...

Play (including "the feather lake song" with words by the poet) produced by Verse Theater Manhattan / Workshop Theater in NYC and produced by Restricted View in London and Presented at

2005, directed by Elysa Marden * ''The Three Musketeers'' (1998) score/sound design for the play commissioned (with Meet the Composer) by The American Globe Theater, NYC * ''The Husbands'' (world premiere in August 1998 at the

New York International Fringe Festival The New York International Fringe Festival, or FringeNYC, was a fringe theater festival and one of the largest multi-arts events in North America. It took place over the course of a few weeks in October, spread on more than 20 stages across sev ...

) live score/sound design (one musician) for the Christopher Logue play, directed by Elysa Marden, produced by Richard Ryan / Verse Productions

Songwriter

* ''Songs for

Sesame Street ''Sesame Street'' is an American educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation and puppetry. It is produced by Sesame Workshop (known as the Children's Television Workshop until June 2000) and ...

International'', Disney Channel and Noggin Network for Josh Selig / Little Airplane Productions. * ''Christopher North, de la sur'' (2002), 17-track self-produced CD * ''Blue Skye, Yesterday's Yesteryear Blues'' (1994) 10-track self-produced CD

Bassist – Broadway/Theater

* ''

The Lion King ''The Lion King'' is a 1994 American animated musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 32nd Disney animated feature film and the fifth produced during the Disney Renaissance, ...

'' on Broadway, New York NY (August 2001 – 2011) substitute player for Tom Barney * '' Spring Awakening'' on Broadway, New York NY (January 2007 – January 2009) substitute player for George Farmer * ''

Rent Rent may refer to: Economics *Renting, an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property *Economic rent, any payment in excess of the cost of production *Rent-seeking, attempting to increase one's share of e ...

'' on Broadway, New York NY (January 2004 – January 2005) substitute player for Steve Mack

Guitarist – Broadway/Theater

* ''

'' on Broadway, New York NY (December 2004 – 2011) substitute player for Kevin Kuehn, the chair requires guitar (electric and classical), ukulele and kalimba

Vocal Recordings – Solo/Ensemble

* Various demo and jingle recordings, New York, NY (1997–present) inc.

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

International and

* John Adams' "On the Transmigration of Souls", for Nonesuch Records with the

/ New York Choral Artists, winner of 3

s (2005) * Stephen Sondheim's "The Frogs / Evening Primrose" (2000) for Nonesuch Records, featured

at the Hit Factory * Alice Parker "My Love and I", (2000) Men's choral works from the Robert Shaw / Alice Parker catalog for Melodius Accord at Riverside Church * "Kurt Masur at the

," 10-CD box set features New York choral artists

As Multi-Instrumentalist

* ''Christopher North's De la Sur' (2002), vocals, acoustic and electric basses, acoustic and electric guitars, drums / percussion, keyboards,

sitar The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form i ...

, recorder, harmonica. * Enid Levine and the Boys, ''Take This Show on the Road'' (2000), Acoustic /electric /

fretless bass A fretless bass is a bass guitar whose neck does not have any frets. While the instrument is played in all styles of music, it is most common in pop, rock, and jazz. It first saw widespread use during the 1970s, although some players used them befo ...

, nylon, steel and 12 string guitar, harmonica, vocals * ''Blue Skye, Yesterday's Yesteryear Blues'' (1995) Singer-songwriter, bass, keys, guitar & mixing *Numerous soundtracks: Cut Shoot Kill, Two Trains Runnin', L'Absinthe

Producer – Children's Songs

Educator – Bass/Guitar, Private/Studio/School Instruction

* Private Studio, Denton and Dallas TX, New York and Brooklyn NY (1990 to present) * 92nd Street Y, New York NY (1997–present)

Education

Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music (BM or BMus) is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of a program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree, and the majority of work consists of presc ...

in Music Composition –

Southern Methodist University , mottoeng = " The truth will make you free" , established = , type = Private research university , accreditation = SACS , academic_affiliations = , religious_affiliation = United Methodist Church , president = R. Gerald Turner , pr ...

(1992–1994) *

University of North Texas The University of North Texas (UNT) is a public research university in Denton, Texas. It was founded as a nonsectarian, coeducational, private teachers college in 1890 and was formally adopted by the state 11 years later."Denton Normal Schoo ...

(1987–1991)

References

External links

Christopher North's official website
*
Eavesdrop film official website

Everything's Jake official websiteChristopher North's Youtube channel
{{DEFAULTSORT:North, Christopher 1969 births American film score composers Living people Musicians from Austin, Texas American male film score composers