Swank motel (1997-1999)

Swank Motel took hits from a very wide variety of famous musicians and turned them into swingin' tunes during the swing revival of the 1990s. The group performed many exciting shows, but one that stands out was the Lounge-A-Palooza CD release event where Swank Motel opened for legendary singer, Jimmy Scott. You can learn more about the group and even listen to some recordings by visiting guitarist, Tom Miller's blog.

Aphrodesiatics (2002-2005)

The Aphrodesiatics were an award winning group that performed original music and instrumental covers of funk and jazz tunes that were sampled in early Hip-Hop recordings. This group played all around Cleveland, including shows at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and opening for groups like Ozomatli. Click here for a song Kris wrote, "What's the Skinny?"

Mifuné (2005-2009)

Mifuné was one of the best bands to come out of Cleveland. The group recorded two albums, toured extensively, and opened for bands like Ozomatli and Brazilian Girls. While in this group, Kris was nominated twice in the "Best Horn" category of the Cleveland Free Times Music Awards. 

The Lakewood Project

(2005-2010)

Called the world's first high school rock orchestra, The Lakewood Project is comprised of two electric string quartets, a ten piece acoustic string orchestra, and a full rock band rhythm section. Kris wrote arrangements for the group and their special guests, including cellist and composer, Matt Turner.

"Comfortable writing in any genre, Kris Morron is a gifted and knowledgeable arranger and composer. His string arrangements are exemplary--he can make a string section sound like a horn section. From Electric Light Orchestra to James Brown to Chicago and beyond, this guy hits a bull's eye every time he dons his arranger's cap."
--Matt Turner

Trepanning Trio 

(2009-Present)

Led by David Mansbach, Trepanning Trio  is an acoustic instrumental ensemble which makes oddly beautiful music using classical, traditional and handmade instruments (i.e., viola da gamba, kalimba, guzheng, pan lids screwed onto sticks and played with violin bows, etc). Kris has played a wide variety of instruments in the group including trombone, guzheng, and accordion.

Revolution Brass Band 

(2010-2019)

The Revolution Brass Band is an explosive 8 piece group founded in 2010 in the pubs of Cleveland, Ohio by Jacob Wynne and the late John Kuegeler. Their spark of inspiration stems from the New Orleans tradition of "second-lines" during the annual Mardi Gras festivities, filtered through an urban, 21st century sensibility. This group has opened for the likes of Trombone Shorty, Antibalas, and Rubblebucket. Kris was an original member and wrote numerous original songs and arrangements.

Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony 

(2010-2015)

While pursuing a Master's Degree at Case Western Reserve University, Kris was honored to be an Assistant Conductor for CYWS. Working with these outstanding musicians provided opportunities to conduct excellent wind ensemble literature and make music with world-renown musicians like Greg Banaszak. 

"Kris has that rare special gift on the podium and in the classroom that is only found in a few individuals." 
--Dr. Gary M. Ciepluch (founder of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony)

Nightmare Before Christmas

2oth Anniversary Concert 

(2013)

Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas is one of Kris's favorite movies and Danny Elfman is one of his greatest musical influences. In 2013, Kris decided to arrange the music from the movie and conduct a chamber orchestra of 24 incredible musicians. The concert was held at the Beachland Ballroom on Saturday, October 26th and also featured a band he assembled that did a set of Oingo Boingo covers. All-in-all, this was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of his music career.

Ringer$ web series 

(2014)

Ringer$ is the story of four paid singers in a church choir as they balance delicate personal and professional lives at St. James Catholic Church. Kris supplied the theme song, original soundtrack and sound editing for the first 5 episodes of the series. Click here to watch the pilot (check out the accompanist for the choir).

Noel Gallagher's high flying birds @ cleveland HOB 

(2015)

It's not very often you get the opportunity to perform with one of your childhood heroes. That happened for Kris on June 6th, 2015 when he was hired to perform with Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds. This concert was broadcast live by Yahoo! and you can watch it here.

Cleveland Lottery League 

(2016)

The Lottery League is an amazing event that brings together Cleveland musicians to collaborate in a unique and exciting way. Each participant is drafted into a band with other musicians they have never made music with before. The newly-formed groups then have 2 months to write and rehearse music for a 10-minute set. You can watch what Way of the Warrior did here.

Contemporary Youth Orchestra

(2021-present)

Kris was appointed music director of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra in the fall of 2021. This ensemble is best known for its collaborations with a wide variety of artists, including Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, Kenny Loggins, and Night Ranger. CYO is committed to the study and performance of exclusively contemporary and new orchestral music, with a focus on introducing students to careers in the creative arts industries. Kris's tenure with the group has yielded an Emmy nomination for their work on the trailer for the Cleveland International Film Festival, a #1 record on the Billboard Classical Crossover charts (Night Ranger's 40 Years and a Night), and collaborations with a wide variety of accomplished composers and performers. 

Drops of Color

(2022)

Drops of Color was a collaboration between singer/songwriter, Luca Mundaca, the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, and skinnyk that featured orchestral music written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and original orchestral arrangements of Luca's music. Kris worked with Luca on the arrangements for the show, rehearsed the ensemble, and conducted the performance. This project fully displayed Kris's enthusiasm for collaboration and creating exciting concert experiences. 

40 Years and a night (with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra)

(2022)

Kris worked with rock legends, Night Ranger to create an exciting night of music celebrating the band's 40th anniversary. Kris wrote orchestra arrangements of their most celebrated songs and conducted the Contemporary Youth Orchestra at the KeyBank State Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. The show was recorded and released on CD, vinyl, and DVD in the fall of 2023. You can order a copy here.