Dr. Christopher G. Sumner is an active professional musician both as a clarinetist and

conductor. He was the Artistic director and conductor of the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

from 2014 to 2022. He has also been a guest conductor for the New Brunswick Chamber

Orchestra, and Rutgers University Wind Ensemble, as well as assisting Maestro Mariusz Smojli

with the Riverside Symphonia. As a free-lance clarinetist, Dr. Sumner performs with the

American Repertory Ballet Orchestra, and is the principal clarinetist of the Riverside Symphonia

for which he is also the personnel manager and contractor. He has also performed with

numerous other orchestras and jazz bands across the country, including the Capitol

Philharmonic of NJ, Allentown Symphony, Princeton Symphony, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra,

and Aspen Jazz Ensemble, as well as with Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville on their East

Coast Tour.

“Doc”, as he is affectionately known at his school, has been the Instrumental Music Director at

Piscataway High School in Piscataway, New Jersey since 2000. Prior to that appointment, he

taught at Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, and Union County College. He received his

Master of Music from Mannes College of Music, and his Doctor of Musical Arts from Rutgers

University.

Dr. Sumner has recorded on the Mark and Capstone record labels. He was accepted into the

Julliard School Summer Conductor’s Symposium and was nominated as a semifinalist for the

“GRAMMY Signature Schools Award” in 2014, sponsored by the Grammy Foundation.