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Christopher Reed (b. 1990), known professionally and personally as the “Barefoot Composer”, is an award-winning composer, arranger, and orchestrator based in the Seattle, WA area. With roots in many different varieties of musical styles, Chris has the keen ability to tailor music to any mood or feel – and for any situation, be it screen, stage, or live event.

 

From the time Chris was young, he showed a love of music (John Barry’s soundtrack to Somewhere in Time and the original Broadway cast recording of The Phantom of the Opera were some of Chris’ go-to albums growing up), which he cultivated through playing percussion in his school’s bands and orchestras and church’s worship ensembles. During his senior year of high school, Chris arranged a suite of Civil War-era folk songs for his school’s top concert band. He’s been composing ever since. Deciding to pursue composition as a career, Chris went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory & Composition from George Fox University, and a Master of Music in Film Composition from the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program at Seattle Film Institute, a program led by Emmy award-winning Hollywood veteran Hummie Mann.

 

Chris has worked with directors and production companies from up and down the West Coast, and his music has been performed by various ensembles around the Pacific Northwest, including some of the most elite players from the Seattle and Portland areas. In 2018, his orchestral piece, Midnight in the City, won multiple prizes including “Audience Favorite” at a live competition in the Seattle area.

 

Always eager to be involved in all stages of the musical process, Chris continues to perform as well as compose. He has played percussion with various semi-professional and professional bands and orchestras, such as the Oregon Symphonic Band, Portland Wind Symphony, and Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree Orchestra, and most recently, sang with the Seattle Symphony Chorale. Chris also performs with and writes for the handbell choir at his church in Kent, WA.

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