Born in 1981 and raised in Dover, PA, Chris Massa began percussion studies at the age of six, and began composing when he was sixteen. By the time he graduated from high school, he had performed at Westminster Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, and the White House. Chris graduated summa cum laude from West Chester University, where he studied composition with Robert Maggio and Larry Nelson.
While based in Pittsburgh, PA, Chris worked with many of the area’s leading independent artists, including Autumn Ayers, Boulevard of the Allies, Ben Hardt, Joy Ike, Brad Yoder, Yours Truly, visual artist Olga Brindar, and filmmaker Benjamin T. Wilson. From 2011 to 2020, he served as the vocal and instrumental arranger for Re-Creation U.S.A., a non-profit organization whose main service is to America’s Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and State Veterans Homes.
As a composer, Chris has written a wide variety of works, including two cantata/oratorios, Love Came Down and Behold the Lamb, for the combined choirs of Berks Christian and Conestoga Christian schools; Improvisations on Four American Folk Hymns and Rondo for Black Orchid String Trio; Variations on “Idumea”, for bassist Ryan McMasters; Jubilee, commissioned by the York Youth Symphony Orchestra; Colors!, commissioned by the Dover Area High School Symphonic Band; North Salem March, commissioned by the North Salem Elementary Symphonic Band and performed at the 2012 PMEA conference; An American Requiem, commissioned by Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh for the fifteenth anniversary of September 11, 2001; Wilt Thou Be True?, commissioned for the 2017 PMEA Region 1 Chorus; Three Arguments, selected as the winner of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic’s 2017 Young Composer Contest; When I Rise Up and The Fool’s Song, both commissioned by Voces Solis, the latter of which was premiered at the 2018 ACDA Eastern Division Conference; and Scenes from Lake Chautauqua, for Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida and William Caballero of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His first symphony, Apologia, was commissioned by the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and premiered in September, 2018. As of October 2023, he is studying for a PhD in music composition at Durham University (UK). He lives with his wife, Elise, and their son, Caleb.
While based in Pittsburgh, PA, Chris worked with many of the area’s leading independent artists, including Autumn Ayers, Boulevard of the Allies, Ben Hardt, Joy Ike, Brad Yoder, Yours Truly, visual artist Olga Brindar, and filmmaker Benjamin T. Wilson. From 2011 to 2020, he served as the vocal and instrumental arranger for Re-Creation U.S.A., a non-profit organization whose main service is to America’s Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and State Veterans Homes.
As a composer, Chris has written a wide variety of works, including two cantata/oratorios, Love Came Down and Behold the Lamb, for the combined choirs of Berks Christian and Conestoga Christian schools; Improvisations on Four American Folk Hymns and Rondo for Black Orchid String Trio; Variations on “Idumea”, for bassist Ryan McMasters; Jubilee, commissioned by the York Youth Symphony Orchestra; Colors!, commissioned by the Dover Area High School Symphonic Band; North Salem March, commissioned by the North Salem Elementary Symphonic Band and performed at the 2012 PMEA conference; An American Requiem, commissioned by Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh for the fifteenth anniversary of September 11, 2001; Wilt Thou Be True?, commissioned for the 2017 PMEA Region 1 Chorus; Three Arguments, selected as the winner of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic’s 2017 Young Composer Contest; When I Rise Up and The Fool’s Song, both commissioned by Voces Solis, the latter of which was premiered at the 2018 ACDA Eastern Division Conference; and Scenes from Lake Chautauqua, for Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida and William Caballero of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His first symphony, Apologia, was commissioned by the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and premiered in September, 2018. As of October 2023, he is studying for a PhD in music composition at Durham University (UK). He lives with his wife, Elise, and their son, Caleb.
Mini Bio
Born in 1981 and raised in Dover, PA, Chris Massa began percussion studies at the age of six, and began composing when he was sixteen. He graduated summa cum laude from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he studied composition with Robert Maggio and Larry Nelson.
While based in Pittsburgh, PA, Chris has worked with many of the area’s leading performing ensembles and independent artists. As of October 2023, he is studying for a PhD in music composition at Durham University (UK). He lives with his wife, Elise, and their son, Caleb.