Charles “Chip“ Schreader
Saxophone & Educator
Charles “Chip” Schreader is a jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and music educator who performs as the frontman for the Wisconsin-based jazz group Third Charles.
Operating out of the La Crosse, Wisconsin area, Schreader is well-known for his fiery woodwind soloing and his dedication to teaching younger generations of musicians. He actively balances local event performance cycles with a long-standing role as a middle school band director.
Musical Projects & Ensembles
Third Charles: Schreader leads this regional five-piece ensemble as the primary saxophonist. The band delivers high-energy live shows blending funk, blues, and acid jazz. He performs alongside a local lineup that includes Dave Kies on drums, Eric Graham on bass, Chris Frye on keyboards, and Paul Leithold on guitar.
The Starlite Lounge Residency: He and his bandmates perform regular live dates at local venues like La Crosse's Starlite Lounge, known for drawing crowds with multi-hour instrumental jam sessions.
Education & Community Impact
Middle School Band Director: Schreader serves as the official Advisor and Director of the Jazz Band program at Longfellow Middle School within the School District of La Crosse.
Gold Star Grant Recipient: His classroom impact and commitment to music practice earned him a prestigious "Gold Star Grant" from the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium / La Crosse Education Foundation to fund specialized school band resources and instrument programs.