Critically acclaimed clarinetist Christopher Nichols enjoys a dynamic career with performances as a soloist and in ensembles across the United States and abroad. As a professional instrumental soloist, he received praise from The American Prize: “…lovely long line, evocative playing, flexible…tone is rich and round, welcoming, clean and elegant…fine performances from a skilled artist.”
Dr. Nichols has performed with the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City, the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the Brandywine Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Garden State Philharmonic, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. A devoted performer of chamber music, he is a member of Tiger Lily Trio and Christiana Winds, both in residence at the University of Delaware School of Music. Additionally, he has collaborated with the acclaimed Serafin String Quartet and the Copeland Quartet, as well as members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He served for over two decades in Army Bands with performances throughout the United States, Germany, France and Austria, which culminated as the first sergeant of the 287th Army Band in Wilmington, Delaware until retiring in 2026.
A dedicated pedagogue, Dr. Nichols joined the faculty of the University of Delaware School of Music in 2013 where he is Professor of Clarinet and Director of Graduate Studies. As an artist clinician, he has guest lectured at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the United States, Europe and China. His students have found success in competitions, won positions in military bands, and serve as music educators at all levels.
Dr. Nichols has appeared as a featured soloist at conferences of the International Clarinet Association, European Clarinet Association, National Association of Collegiate Wind and Percussion Instructors, National Flute Association, and College Music Society. He has appeared as a headline artist at the International Festival of Clarinets in Costa Rica and the Shanghai International Clarinet Festival. In 2015, the Delaware Division of the Arts awarded Dr. Nichols an Established Artist Fellowship in recognition for his work as a solo recitalist. He has released solo and chamber music recordings on internationally distributed labels including Navona Records, Viduus Records and Albany Records, which have won praise in publications such as Gramophone, The Clarinet, Fanfare, NACWPI Journal, De Klarinet and Pizzicato.
An active member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, International Clarinet Association and Music Teachers National Association, Dr. Nichols has served as the College Music Society Northeast Chapter’s executive board member for performance and as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the International Clarinet Association. He is currently President of the International Clarinet Association.
Dr. Nichols holds a Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the Boston Conservatory, Master of Music from Kansas State University, and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas. His primary mentors include Ian Greitzer, Kenneth Radnofsky, Steven Barta, Tod Kerstetter and Stephanie Zelnick.
As a Légère Reeds Endorsing Artist, Silverstein Pro Team Artist, and a Buffet Crampon USA Artist Clinician, Dr. Nichols performs exclusively on Légère Signature Series reeds, Silverstein ligatures and Buffet clarinets. Additionally, he is an RCW Artist and plays on RCW clarinet barrels and bells.
