Craig Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he studied composition with Stephen Heinemann, and he obtained his Masters in Music Composition in 2003 from the University of Illinois in Champaign. While in Champaign, he studied composition under Stephen Taylor and Rick Taube and also served as a teaching assistant, instructing undergraduate theory and ear-training courses. Craig has also had the opportunity to work closely with Jack Stamp, David Maslanka, and David Holsinger.

In 2001, Craig won the Creative Division of the Bradley University Research and Creative Achievement Exhibition with his piece Subliminal Designs, a composition designed using music notation through alternative visual representations. Craig was also a finalist in the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards in 2001 and 2003. In 2005, he was chosen as a participant in the National Band Association's Young Composer Mentor Project sponsored by Bands of America.

Craig also maintains an extensive private brass studio, teaching trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba lessons to students of all ages. His students regularly attend the IMEA district and state festivals in the orchestral, jazz, and band divisions. During the 2005-06 school year, Craig served as assistant director of bands at Washington Community High School. During this time, the Washington High School Symphonic winds were selected to compete at the 2006 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival for the first time. Craig resides in Morton, Illinois with his wife, Katrina.