About Christopher Whyte

Called “hypnotic, enthralling…dynamic” with playing described as “a striking diversity of styles and spirit,” Christopher Whyte is known for his wide-ranging artistry as a percussionist, timpanist, collaborator, composer, and educator. He has presented recitals, concerts, and masterclasses internationally in Asia, Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States. As an original member of the Portland Percussion Group, he is dedicated to fostering percussion performance through dynamic concerts, engaging collaborations, and the creation of new music. The quartet made its European debut in 2020, performing a full-length concert at the GAIDA Festival of Contemporary Music in Vilnius, Lithuania and collaborating on Steve Reich’s iconic “Drumming” with the Colin Currie Quartet. He is a founding member and resident faculty of the International Percussion Institute, held annually in Aberdeen, Scotland. Whyte also serves as percussionist with Third Angle New Music, and has collaborated closely with composers Gabriela Lena Frank, Pauline Oliveros, Sarah Hennies, William Kraft, Angélica Negrón, and Dominic Murcott, among others. He regularly performs with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera Orchestra, Oregon Ballet Theater, fEarnoMusic, Bach Cantata Choir, Portland Symphony Choir, and Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. His debut solo recording will be released in November 2023 on New Focus Recordings, and features works by Lou Harrison, Sarah Hennies, Toshio Hosokawa, and an original composition for percussion and electronics entitled “A Cold Stability.” Whyte is Visiting Assistant Professor at Portland State University and has served on the faculty of Western Oregon University. He holds degrees from the University of Oregon (BM, MM) and Boston University (DMA). He is a Yamaha Artist, and proudly endorses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Black Swamp Percussion, and Remo Drumheads. He lives in Newberg, Oregon with his wife Charlotte and his son Forrest.