Craig Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he studied composition with Stephen Heinemann. He obtained his Masters in Music Composition in 2003 from the University of Illinois in Champaign. While there, he studied composition under Stephen Taylor and Rick Taube and also served as a teaching assistant, instructing undergraduate theory and ear-training courses. Since then Craig has had the opportunity to work closely with Jack Stamp, David Maslanka, and David Holsinger.
In 2001, Craig won the Creative Division of the Bradley University Research and Creative Achievement Exhibition with Subliminal Designs, a composition designed using music notation through alternative visual representations. Craig was also a finalist in the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards in 2001 and 2003. In 2005, he was chosen as a participant in the National Band Association’s Young Composer Mentor Project sponsored Bands of America. Craig was also a finalist in the 2nd International Frank Ticheli Composition Contest with his work “Re-Connected” for wind ensemble. In 2014, Craig’s commission “A Light Still Remains” was a finalist in the National Band Association’s Merrill Jones Composition Contest for Concert Band. His work “Moon Shadows” was also a finalist 2018. Craig has been commissioned to write concert band literature for Jr. High, High Schools, honor bands. and community wind ensembles. His compositions for band, orchestra, choir, soloists, and small ensembles have been performed across the country. Craig is also a published composer with Alfred, TRN, and FJH Music Publishers.
Since 2001, Craig has arranged music and written drill for competitive high school marching bands across the country. His clients are regular State Class Champions, Band of America (BOA) Super Regional Finalists, BOA Grand National Semi-Finalists, and BOA Super Regional Class Champions. Additionally, Craig has served as a marching band adjudicator throughout the Midwest. Craig marched with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps baritone line in 1998 and worked with the Cavaliers brass staff in 2001. He has taught competitive marching brass and arranged for Morton High School, who have been named the 2005 through 2017 class 2A Illinois State Champions. Craig also maintains an extensive private brass studio, teaching trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba lessons to students of all ages. His students regularly attend the IMEA district and state festivals in the orchestral, jazz, and band divisions. During the 2005-06 school year, Craig served as assistant director of bands at Washington Community High School. During this time, the Washington High School Symphonic winds were selected to compete at the 2006 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival for the first time.
Craig studied trombone with Hugo Magliocco at Bradley University and Elliot Chasanov at the University of Illinois. He currently performs with the Prairie Wind Ensemble, and resides in Morton, Illinois with his wife, Katrina.
