In his fifth year, Dr. Crotts has seen tremendous growth in the Jazz Studies Program, which currently includes 3 big bands and several combos, as well as classes in improvisation, theory, and applied jazz lessons. The Trumpet Program at JSU maintains a strong reputation throughout the Southeast and the combined studios of Dr. Crotts and Dr. John Merriman consistently maintain upwards of 30 majors per year.

Chip has been an on-call trumpet artist for the Disney Company and has performed and recorded throughout the US and Europe. In addition, Crotts has toured and performed with artists such as Rhythm and Brass, Ray Charles, The Manhattan Transfer and Maynard Ferguson. Chip is in frequent demand as a freelance musician throughout the Southeast and is a first call player for national touring companies and artists.

As a clinician and educator, Dr. Crotts has worked with many high school and college groups throughout Texas and the Southeast. He is an adjudicator for Bands of America and has judged numerous jazz festivals, solo and marching competitions. Chip is also active in the drum corps community, where he marched with the Phantom Regiment and Blue Devils and is currently the Brass Caption Head for Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps.

Dr. Crotts received a Bachelor of Music Business degree from East Carolina University and a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Penn State University. Chip has recently completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance and Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. His primary teachers have included Ray Crisara, Ray Sasaki, John Daniel, Tom Huener and John Almeida. Chip has also performed in masterclasses and studied privately with Roger Ingram, Armando Ghitalla, Doc Severinsen and Boyde Hood.

Chip currently performs with groups such as the Huntsville Symphony, Jacksonville Brass Quintet, SuperJazz Big Band and the Night Flight Big Band. He is also an associate member of The Tuscaloosa Horns, with whom he performs regularly with artists such as the Temptations, Four Tops, OJ’s, and Mary Wilson and the Supremes.