View Profile Page
Christopher Opperman
Adjunct Professor, College of Communication and Media, Academic Affairs
Adjunct Professor, Cali School of Music, Dean's Office, College of the Arts
- Office:
- Morehead Hall 103
- Morehead Hall 103
- Email:
- oppermanc@montclair.edu
- vCard:
- Download vCard
Profile
Dr. Chris Opperman wields a special array of expertise. He is a composer of wildly original music, a top orchestrator and arranger, a dedicated and visionary educator, and a trusted advisor for an incredible cross-section of the music industry.
Since starting his Purple Cow Records label in 1998, Dr. Opperman has released seven prior albums including 2001’s Klavierstücke, his first solo piano album, 2010’s The Lionheart, an orchestral rock album, and 2020's Chamber Music from Hell, a contemporary classical concept album about a postman society and the music they create. He has also released three EP’s including 2022’s Four Improvisations which feature studio-manipulated piano works, and two singles including “And If You Know” featuring Robert Martin, known for his work with Etta James, Bette Midler, and Frank Zappa.
With Arnie & Eric Roth of AWR Music, Dr. Opperman has worked on several national and international orchestral and chamber music tours including The Music of SQUARE ENIX - Magic, Memories, and Melodies, NieR:Orchestra Concert 12026 [ YoRHa ], NieR:Orchestra Concert re:12024 [ the end of data ], NieR:Orchestra Concert 12024 [ the end of data ], Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY, A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY, the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake Orchestra World Tour, the FINAL FANTASY VII Rebirth Orchestra World Tour, The Beach Boys Holiday Vibrations Orchestra Tour, several Mannheim Steamroller Christmas tours, and Undertale LIVE. Dr. Opperman’s arrangements with AWR and others have been performed by renowned and accomplished orchestras at premiere venues which include Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Tokyo International Forum, and more.
Along with much other music, Opperman played piano on two of Steve Vai’s Grammy-nominated compositions, “Lotus Feet” from Real Illusions: Reflections and “The Attitude Song” from Sound Theories, Vols. I and II, both with the Metropole Orkest. He’s also performed with virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Mike Keneally, Indian classical music masters L. Shankar (a.k.a. Shenkar) and Zakir Hussein, former Duran Duran/Missing Persons guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, and many others.
He also runs his own private music business consulting firm, Opperman Music Services LLC, which provides services to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members, platinum-level selling celebrities and producers, major label record companies, and other prominent business management firms. He was formerly with GSO Business Management (now NKSFB) and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Dr. Opperman holds a Ph. D. In Music Composition and has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses on music theory and composition, popular and classical music history, music technology, and the music industry at Montclair State since 2011.
Specialization
Music Business, Music Theory/Composition, 20th/21st Century Music, Orchestration, Arranging, Video Game Concerts
Links
Montclair State University does not endorse the views or opinions expressed in a faculty member's webpage or website. Consistent with the principles of academic freedom, the content provided is that of the author and does not express the opinions or views of Montclair State University.