Chris started playing trombone, aged twelve, at Foxwood Comprehensive, Leeds. As a teenager he played trombone with Leeds Youth Orchestra and the Yorkshire School's Brass Band. In his late teens he played string bass with a traditional folk group playing at folk clubs in the Leeds area. He later took up bass guitar and folk guitar. At St John's College York, while training to be a teacher he played with the College Orchestra, York Savoyards and sang with the College Madrigal Choir and Gilbert and Sullivan Society. At this time he also did some freelance music teaching at Bootham School and St Peter's School, York. During his late teens he played with Sherburn Brass Band and went to the occasional rehearsal blow with what was then the Leeds City Police Band (Military). Les Williams on Euphonium with Leeds City Police was a good friend of his Dad -it was Les who persuaded him to swap cornet for trombone - thanks Les!.
When he started his teaching career in Garforth he founded Garforth Jubilee Band from a group of players he taught at school. Ten years of playing rugby then somewhat stalled music involvement with the exception of a spell with Sam Smith's band in the late 70s. In 1991 he became involved as a founder member of St Mary's Youth Theatre and as MD directed a number of shows. He also arranged and conducted home grown shows with a 24 piece theatre band. In the mid 90s he started playing with South Milford Brass Band and shortly afterwards started playing with West Yorkshire Police Band. In 2002 he returned as MD of Garforth Jubilee Brass for a short spell.
Latest musical challenge — learning to play the Mandolin!
Day job - headteacher - for his sins!
