About ChrisThe son of an accordion-playing monk from County Waterford and a performer and composer from an early age, Chris's journey in music has taken him through wide-ranging musical situations, and many roles. He has played synthesisers and keyboards for Damon Albarn / Gorillaz, working with internationally renowned conductor Andre de Ridder, at (amongst others) the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, & the Theatre Du Chatelet, Paris; he has given recitals of Classical, Romantic and Contemporary piano music across the UK and Europe; and he has played acccordion in an eclectic range of situations (often through effects and processors - in art galleries, cathedrals, libraries, festivals, alternative therapy centres...and pubs...).
Chris has collaborated on composition work with guitarist and composer Robert Fripp (of King Crimson); has recorded drone pieces for Michael Gyra (of 'Swans'); and has had his music reinterpreted by minimalist legend Charlemagne Palestine. He has been consulted, as a musicologist, in legal cases regarding music copyright, by bands including Cornershop and The View; he has transcribed music at the request of Yoko Ono and Basement Jaxx. Chris has created and performed live film soundtracks in UK and Berlin cinemas; played in multi-piano performances (including Holst's 'The Planets' & Brahms 'German Requiem'); has accompanied choirs and vocal groups around the UK and Europe and has accompanied dancers - in contemporary performance, in ballet schools, and through composition). Chris has played in jazz-rock-fusion bands and experimental ensembles; has sung bass (in his own vocal sextet Voice7, plus with renowned Irish choir Anuna) in music by Palestrina, Tallis, Arvo Part, Morton Lauridesen, Eric Whitacre and others. In 2015 Chris formed 'Seeing 2 Sound' with actor Edward Pinner, devising and presenting 'sonic cinema of the imagination' through adventurous realisation of text and music in performance. He continues to devise for, and perform with, 'Aphelion' & 'Excelsa Voces', the ambient/Medieval/contemporary projects with partner and singer Paula Evans, and their performances have been described as 'beautiful', 'sublime', 'entrancing' and 'magical'... As a teacher, Chris has enthusiastically communicated his knowledge of music to hundreds of students over 20 years as a lecturer in music in Further Education and Higher Education environments. As well as being an effective and respected classroom teacher he has directed over 40 student productions, including rock tribute gigs (Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles etc) and 'rock-orchestra' performances of work such as 'Tubular Bells' (Mike Oldfield) and 'Variations' (Lloyd Webber). His students have gone on to study jazz, classical music, composition etc in prestigious institutions such as Leeds College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, & Berklee College of Music in USA; and many of his students from over the past 23 years are now working as professional musicians and teachers. Equally, Chris loves to work with students of the piano and has taught at all levels, across the age spectrum - from young beginners to adult beginners, and from teenage prodigies to senior return-to-learners. 
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Vocal HighLaunched in March 2016, Vocal High are a vocal ensemble of c.40 singers co-directed by Chris and & vocal coach (and partner) Paula Evans. There is a Pershore group (Tuesday evenings) and a Worcester group (Wednesday evenings), and both groups come together for performances. These include annual summer and winter concerts as well as other events, in venues including the Chapter House at Worcester Cathedral, The Three Choirs Festival, Theatrebarn & The Fleece Inn @ Bretforton, Three Counties Show (Malvern), Sixways Rugby Stadium, Pershore Baptist Church etc...
In July 2019, VH were the support act for Australian legends 'The Spooky Men's Chorale' at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester. In addition to the weekly choirs Chris & Paula also run workshops that bring singers together to work on aspects of technique and explore new repertoire. Read all about it at www.vocalhigh.com 
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Qualifications• BA (Hons) 1st Class - Music (with Recording Techniques) [Kingston University, 1992]
• MA (Composition) [De Montfort University 1998 - with Dave Smith & Gavin Bryars] • Cert. Education - post-compulsory education (16+) [Warwick University] • ABRSM Grades 5-8, Piano [1984-7] |
Teaching Experience20 years as Lecturer & Assessor in Music in Further & Higher education: A- Level, BTEC L2, L3, L4, Degree level. Music theory, music analysis, performance, aural training, composition & devising, keyboards skills, jazz improvisation, music history, societal context and freethinking for musicians. Musical directing - student ensembles, rock bands, choirs etc. Devising & creating shows & musical presentations of many kinds.
9+ years as a freelance musician - Running musical ensembles, performance work, piano / keyboard & composition tuition. |
Composition
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Performing
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