Faculty Spotlight: Chris Klaxton

By Mariah Davis; For The Clock

On April 25, 2016

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Faculty Spotlight: Chris Klaxton

Mariah Davis

For The Clock

mkdavis@plymouth.edu

Chris Klaxaton is a faculty member in PSU's music, theatre, and dance program. Klaxton first started playing music at a young age, “I started taking piano lessons at age 8. Picked up the trumpet at age 10 and both instruments stuck with me.”

Klaxton is originally from southern New Hampshire and went to Timberlane High School in Plaistow. “I had a great experience there and was highly motivated by their high-level music program, arguably the best in the state” said Klaxton.

After high school, Klaxton attended UNH and received a bachelor’s degree in classical trumpet. He then went on to get his master’s degree in jazz trumpet at the University of Miami.

Klaxton directs several of PSU’s jazz ensembles. He is also the University’s classical trumpet professor, and teaches private one-on-one lessons in improvisation and composition.

Klaxton’s most memorable moment was the time he spent with Clark Terry, a jazz legend. “Clark Terry constitutes some of the richest memories I have. I was a student of Clark’s, and a travel companion. Clark was one of the founding fathers of jazz trumpet, and any time in his company is invaluable,” said Klaxton. “To have had as much time as I did was a huge blessing.”

“Watching him play always inspired me, but as I grow older, watching him grow older, every note he played had so much meaning...it could move me to tears. Every note he played was a celebration, a struggle, or both.”

Klaxton talked about what music means to him, “To me, music has been a discipline: a way in which to grow and investigate, to call myself out on bull sh*t and reach for something higher.”

“Music has also been a primary way for me to socialize, to experience meaningful things with friends and family, and to grow closer with people I care for,” said Klaxton. “The vast tradition and history of music serves to motivate me as well as keep me company,” he said. “When all circumstance and all people fail you, when the universe conspires to fail you.... there are lessons, problems yet to be solved, eternal questions, an array of answers.... all hidden in the world’s music.”

“It certainly can be a limitless wellspring of hope.”