Christopher Wilson is the coordinator of percussion at Washington State University where he teaches applied percussion, conducts the percussion ensemble, and serves as Assistant Director of the Cougar Marching Band. Regionally he serves as principal timpani in the Washington-Idaho Symphony and Walla Symphony Orchestra and is the president of the Washington Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.

An engaging musician, Dr. Wilson has a passion for presenting innovative recitals and interdisciplinary collaborations. This has included his work with dance, collaborating with other disciplines on campus, exploring both modern repertoire and popular music transcriptions, and collaborating with his non-percussionist colleagues. Dr. Wilson most frequently performs with his spouse, bassoonist Dr. Jacqueline Wilson, in Ensemble 337. Ensemble 337 recently toured in New Zealand and has performed at both institutions and conferences nationally. Dr. Wilson’s recent solo engagements have included performances at the Festival of Contemporary Artists in Music, the Percussive Arts Society International Conference, the Idaho Bach Festival, and the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy.

Outside of WSU, Dr. Wilson is an active percussion pedagogue. As a member of the PAS education committee, he chairs the PASIC FUNdamentals subcommittee and has contributed significantly to the PAS Classroom initiative. In summer 2023, he hosted the return of PAS’ FUNdamental Fridays web series. He also presented a clinic on graduated mallets at PASIC 2022. An in-demand educator, Dr. Wilson has given workshops, assemblies, and clinics at hundreds of K-12 schools throughout the country. His current research area stems from his dissertation which analyzed the ability of commonly used band method books to prepare beginning percussionists for modern Grade 1 repertoire. Dr. Wilson has subsequently presented his research at NAfME state music educator conferences in numerous states as well as at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy.

Wilson received his Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado studying percussion performance with a secondary area in wind conducting. He is also a graduate of the Boston Conservatory and Eastern Washington University. His principal teachers include Gray Barrier, Nancy Zeltsman and Martin Zyskowski. Dr. Wilson is a proud endorser of Adams Percussion, Encore Mallets, Pearl Drums, and Salyers Percussion.