Meet the Musician

Senior Chief Musician Christopher J. Raifsnider,

Career Information Program Manager

Senior Chief Musician Chris Raifsnider, a native of Fleetwood, Penn., joined the Navy Band in 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Science in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Music in wind instruments from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral instruments from the Catholic University of America. Prior to joining the Navy Band he held positions in the U.S. Naval Academy Band, Ann Arbor Symphony, Westmoreland Symphony, and taught instrumental music for two years.

Raifsnider currently serves as career counselor and auditions supervisor at the Navy Band, and is responsible for recruiting new members. In his free time, he maintains a teaching studio of several clarinet and saxophone students. His teachers include Ricardo Morales, Steven Barta, Fred Ormand and Thomas Thompson.