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Chris gained a graduate
diploma in jazz from the City of Leeds College of Music and then spent two
years, full time on the Advanced Studies Course at the Royal Academy of Music
during which time he was bass trombone with the European Community Youth Orchestra.
Upon leaving college in 1987 Chris was employed by British Coal as a member
of Grimethorpe Colliery Band,
enjoying two years with the band. After leaving Grimethorpe Chris
developed successful careers, playing and teaching, based in the North of
England. This work included playing for most visiting touring theatre
companies, the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Northern Sinfonia, Manchester
Camerata, Viva! and Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra. Chris was a founding
member of the Creative Jazz Orchestra, performing with Kenny Wheeler, Mike
Gibbs and Vince Mendoza. He also was a founding member of "the Big
Parade" a trombone band he runs with ran with Rick Taylor. Education
work included large blocks of supply for many L.E.A.s and positions at Leeds
Girls High School, University College of Ripon StJohn, Thomas Rotherham
College and Sheffield Music Service. Chris and his wife, oboist Jill
Crowther, moved to London, eight years ago. Since then Chris has built a
portfolio of freelance playing and education work alongside consulting to the
music industry. Since this move performing has included
membership of Shirley Bassey’s Orchestra and the British
Philharmonic Orchestra, playing extensively in music theatre, having held
chairs on the National tours of: "Cats", "Phantom of the
Opera" and "Les Miserables", deputizing regularly in London’s
West End including recent work on "Les Miserables", "Phantom
of the Opera" and “the Sound of Music”. Other freelance work has been
varied including performing and/or recording with: The Northern Sinfonia, The
Michael Nyman Band, English National Opera, The Royal Philharmonic Concert
Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Chris has always had a close
relationship with the makers of his instruments, initially with Michael Rath and more recently with
Edwards. Though this connection Chris became the UK bass trombone consultant
for Edwards, working for
theValve in 2002. This was very interesting and rewarding relationship where
Chris helped Individual clients to find their own solutions using the Edwards
system, created and delivered education projects and gave master classes. Chris left theValve in the Summer of
2005 to become the Executive Manager of the British Trombone Society, a
post that he held for one year. During this period he managed a revamp of the
societies’ publishing and web activities and contributed extensively to the
2006 International trombone Festival in Birmingham, including developing a
large education project that was held in Symphony Hall and which was pivotal to
the breaking of the Guinness World Record for the largest trombone ensemble. Until Summer 2005 Chris taught brass for
Amersham Music Centre for a couple of days a week. He has also been involved
in the creation of a wider opportunities project at Ashill School in High
Wycombe. This involved delivering the National Curriculum in Music, KS2, via
instrumental learning. Chris worked on this project for two years, teaching
the whole of both years 5 and 6. The project is ongoing and is a
collaboration between the school, Jupiter Instruments UK (Korg UK), Dawkes
Music Limited and High Wycombe Music Centre. It is a “Soundstart”
based project. In September 2005 Chris was appointed
"Leader in Lower Brass Initiatives" for Hertfordshire Music Service.
This role includes: teaching, tutoring, creating new, all brass Wider
Opportunities projects and Staff Assessment and Development. Alongside this
role in 2006 Chris was appointed as one of two “Leaders in Wider Opportunities”,
for Hertfordshire Music Service, taking a lead both in the educational
development and management of projects across the county. He is also co-music
director of Hertfordshire Youth Jazz Ensemble, a group that brings together
the finest young jazz musicians in the county up to the age of 21. Chris has
recently taught at the Royal College of Music Junior Department as a guest trombone
teacher and is in demand as a trainer of teachers with especial regard to large
group teaching. |
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