Christopher Jones
About
Christopher Jones — Clarinetist, Educator & Veteran of the West Point Band
Christopher Jones is a distinguished clarinetist, educator, and the driving force behind Clarinet Now — a resource beloved by clarinet students, teachers, and enthusiasts worldwide. He brings decades of experience, both as a celebrated performer and dedicated teacher, combining a deep respect for clarinet tradition with a passion for making the instrument accessible and fun to learn.
Teaching Style
I am always ready to start at your level: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced. I love sitting down with a student and finding 'where they are at.' Whether it be working on very fundamental areas of the clarinet like Embouchure, Hand-position, Articulation, Posture, etc..., or working on audition materials like chair-selection at your middle/high school, honor band materials, all-district, all-state or other competitions that are upcoming goals.
I also LOVE to work with adult students who are lifelong learners of the clarinet or just back into the game. I am patient and willing to help. It is my greatest hope for all my students to ENJOY playing the clarinet.
Curriculum
Generally, I will work on any music a student is currently working to assess what method book needs are best. But I often reference Rubank method, Hite Melodious and Progressive Studies, Rose, Klose and Opperman books.
I am also the author of Bumblebee Loops: A Practice Guide to Performing a Lightning Fast “Flight of the Bumblebee” for clarinet, violin, or flute — a book designed not just to conquer difficult technical passages, but to encourage musicality, efficiency, and sustainable practice. This book comes from a deeply personal journey on the clarinet and goes beyond music exercises with numerous practice tips. This book is not required for my students, but it often finds its way into practicing hands.
Credentials & Affiliations
🎓 Musical Foundations
Jones’s formal music education laid the groundwork for his artistry and pedagogy. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Alabama in Florence, and went on to complete a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance and Conducting at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.
After graduate school, he pursued further refinement in New York City under the tutelage of renowned clarinetist and pedagogue Kalmen Opperman — a decade of study that deeply shaped his clarinet technique, focusing on embouchure, hand position, articulation, and tone.
The West Point Band Years: 26 Years of Service & Performance
While at West Point for over two decades, he performed under five U.S. Presidents and for numerous heads of state — including dignitaries such as Pope John Paul II and Queen Sofía of Spain — and played in major sporting and cultural venues across the New York metropolitan area: from the Yankees’ old and new stadiums to MetLife Stadium, and even at events for the USGA and NASCAR at Pocono Raceway.
Jones’s leadership within the band grew over time. He rose to become the marching‑band Drum Major and later Concert & Marching Band Element Leader. As Drum Major, he had the honor of leading the band in major New York City parades — including Veterans Day, Columbus Day, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2016.
Some of the artistic highlights of his military career include performing side‑by‑side with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall (now David Geffen Hall) in July concerts of 2008 and 2010 — a rare and thrilling merging of military-band tradition and symphonic grandeur.
He also played at the bicentennial celebrations of the West Point Band — performing at venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center — milestones that captured the history and legacy of America’s oldest Army band.
Following retirement from active performance in 2018, Jones turned his focus increasingly toward teaching and sharing his expertise. On the Clarinet‑Now website, he offers a wealth of resources — from fundamental embouchure and hand‑position guides to advanced technique exercises and performance advice — aimed at clarinetists of all levels.
Moreover, Jones has taught clarinet in academia — serving on the music faculties at Nyack College and Marist College — and continues to offer live clarinet lessons, both in-person (for those in the Watertown, NY — near the Canadian border — area) and virtually.
He often echoes the motto of his mentor, “Practice and hope — but never hope more than you practice.” This philosophy underpins his approach: regular, mindful practice; disciplined fundamentals; and a lifelong love for making music.