Bio
Christopher gained a masters degree in orchestral conducting with distinction at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) with David Jones. He previously graduated from the University of Birmingham with a first class honours music degree, majoring in conducting, with Dan Rossina and mentored by Simon Halsey (CBE).
At the RWCMD Christopher conducted the Welsh National Opera orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, over a dozen new compositions in recordings and concerts, an educational orchestra tour with presenter Tom Redmond to thousands of children across Wales and was assistant conductor for five operas. He also conducted his compositions and organised and performed his own concerts, including a Bach Cantata and Brandenburg Concerto no. 1, directed from the harpsichord, as well as a range of Classical to contemporary repertoire.
In Birmingham, he conducted the South Birmingham Sinfonia, two community choirs and university groups including period instruments ensembles, contemporary music, orchestras and a wind orchestra of around 130 musicians. Before moving to Cardiff he advanced his studies at the George Hurst Advanced Conducting Course and the London Conducting Workshop in Westminster.
Christopher conducted his own composition as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad recorded by Radio 3 and was subsequently asked to conduct the South Essex Youth Symphony Orchestra where he also mentored young conductors. In 2015 he conducted his orchestration of Ravel's Minuet Antique during the Aldeburgh Festival and in 2016 was invited to conduct the children's chorus for Mahler's “Symphony of a Thousand” with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra in Symphony Hall. Christopher has also guest-conducted a range of ensembles including the Voice of the Town Gospel Choir, Worcestershire Youth Orchestra, the Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra, The People's Orchestra, the City of Cardiff Symphony Orchestra and the Sheffield Symphony Orchestra, amongst others.
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Christopher regularly directs CoMA Bristol (Contemporary Music For All), the Worcestershire Intermediate Orchestra, and the Gate Community Choir alongside other freelance conducting, accompanying, teaching, composing, and arranging.
Qualifications and Training
Qualifications
MMus - Distinction - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama​
BMus - 1st class with honours - Univerisity of Birmingham
​ABRSM Grade 8 - Piano, Trumpet and Music Theory
Courses
George Hurst Advanced Conducting Course (2014)
London Conducting Workshop (2016)
Martyn Brabbins/BBC NOW (2019)
Complimentary
Work
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(conducting work in bio)
Worship Director – Urban Crofters Church (2021 - Present)
Film co-director with Supercharger, Blown Collective (2021)
Conductor and Tutor at Severn Arts (2015 - Present)
Composer/Orchestrator/Arranger (2013 - Present)
Private Teacher (2011 - Present) Click here for external teaching website
Accompanist/Pianist/Keyboardist and Trumpeter (2011 - Present)
Administrator with BBC Radio 3 (2020)
Assistant Music Librarian at CBSO and WNO (2016 - 2017)
Orchestral Management Intern with CBSO (2015)
Guest conductor and conducting teacher at South Essex Music Service
Ensemble tutor and assistant at Shoeburyness High School
Kind words:
“Choral attack was strong and unanimous, diction clear, and the separation effects from groups spreading around the auditorium from the performing area were stunning.
Chorus master Julian Wilkins and sub-conductors Chris Holley and Peter Morris had done a marvellous job.”
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Chris Morley, Birmingham post, 7th March 2016
Mahler Symphony no 8.
“Dear Chris, Again a real pleasure working with you. You bring great focus and generosity and detail to the process. Congratulations on the two dress rehearsals – outstanding work!”
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Martin Constantine, International Chair in Opera Directing and director of The Magic Flute, RWCMD 2018.
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