Dr. Chris Gallaher was a member of the music faculty at Morehead State University from 1972 until his retirement in June 2003. Coming to MSU after serving on the music faculty at Frostburg [MD] State University for four years, Dr. Gallaher served as the Chair of the Department of Music for 18 of his 31 years at the university. He is currently a Professor Emeritus of Music at MSU. Dr. Gallaher was recognized as a recipient of one of the University’s most prized faculty awards in being awarded the 1996-97 "Distinguished Creative Productions Award".

An extensively-published composer/arranger, he received his PhD in Music Theory from Indiana University where he also studied composition with Bernhard Heiden and Juan Orrego-Salas and trumpet with Bill Adam. While living in Bloomington, he became a member of Al Cobine’s Big Band, which toured with many entertainment luminaries such as Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, and Elvis Presley.

Due to his deep interest in jazz, his so-called 'Classical' works tend to reflect these aspects, which are manifested in this art form.

Remaining in Morehead with his wife Linda, he now spends his time cooking, reading, and composing/arranging in between rounds of golf in addition to playing with his grandsons, Aiden and Gabriel.