C.W. Post Music Professor Chris Culver Passes Away at Age 55

Dr. Christopher Culver, an esteemed professor of music and director of jazz studies at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, passed away on March 7 at the age of 55 from cancer. Dr. Culver served as chairman of the Department of Music for the past three years and as C.W. Post Faculty Council president from 2005 to 2006.

“We are saddened by the tragic loss of a much beloved professor who cared deeply about his students and the campus community,” said Jon Fraser, senior associate dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. “He was an extraordinary musician who brought the C.W. Post Jazz Studies program to new heights and contributed his many talents to the recording industry.” Among his numerous educational initiatives, Dr. Culver arranged opportunities for C.W. Post music students to perform at venues in Manhattan and around the world, including performances scheduled for July 7 to 17, 2007 in France and Switzerland.

A widely-known musician, Dr. Culver’s compositions have been performed and recorded by college and professional ensembles throughout North America and Europe. The International Trombone Association Manuscript Press, Kagarice Brass Editions, The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press and Smart Chart Music have published his arrangements and original compositions.

Dr. Culver also was a guest trombone soloist, clinician and adjudicator at many high school and college jazz festivals throughout the United States and Canada, and has performed and/or recorded sessionswith Gerry Niewood, Andy Fusco, Joe Magnarelli, Ted Rosenthal, Jerry Weldon, Tony Tedesco, Sam Arlen, Glenn Drewes, Bill Easley, Billy Drewes, Dave Lalama, Ralph Lalama and Paquito D’Rivera. 

Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Culver performed, arranged and composed music for the Al Miller Big Band, the Mike Lewis Big Band, the Nassau-Suffolk County High School Jazz Ensemble, the University of Northern Colorado Lab Band I, and the Westpoint Jazz Knights.

He was appointed an associate professor of music at C.W. Post in 2001. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Willamette University and his Master of Music and his doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado. A native of Portland, Oregon, Dr. Culver resided in Glen Cove, New York.

Dr. Culver is survived by his wife Carrie and seven-year-old daughter Madison. A memorial service is being planned at the Interfaith Center at the C.W. Post Campus.

The C.W. Post Campus has established a memorial scholarship in his name. Donations can be sent c/o W. Chris Culver Jazz Scholarship Fund, Office of Development, C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, N.Y. 11548.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 4 p.m. in Christ Church, 61 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 

Posted: March 7, 2007