About
Chris Ebbern, DipABRSM, ATCL (Distinction), ATCL, MISM, AFNFCM, FSCO
Employment history:
Current:
- Deputy Bass Lay Clerk, Derby Cathedral, January 2020 - present
- Musical Director, Let’s Sing, September 2019 - present
- Musical Director, Long Eaton and Sawley Singing for Fun, January 2018 - present
- Accredited Music Teacher, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, February 2015 - present
- Visiting teacher of Piano and Voice, West Park School, September 2014 - present
- Accompanist, Nottingham Hospitals’ Choir, October 2012 – present
- Freelance Pianist, Baritone, Organist & Choral Conductor, January 2009 - present
Previous:
· Musical Director, East Midlands Singing for Fun, January 2017 – June 2018
· Visiting teacher of Piano and School Accompanist, Orchard Primary School, April 2012 – March 2017
· Director of Music, St Mary’s Church, East Leake, September 2012 – March 2017
Further Professional development:
- CPD training, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, September 2020
- CPD training, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, February 2020
- CPD training, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, February 2019
- Conducting Masterclass, Association of British Choral Directors, Dr Amy Bebbington, June 2018
- CPD training, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, September 2017
- Conducting Masterclass, Association of British Choral Directors, Dr Amy Bebbington, May 2017
- CPD training, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, September 2016
- Consort Singing Course, Sing for Pleasure, Fabien Volery, August 2016
- Singing & Education training & Conducting Masterclass, Association of British Choral Directors, David Lawrence, February 2016
- CPD training, Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, September 2015
- Singing & Education training & Conducting Masterclass, Association of British Choral Directors, Neil Ferris & Ian Chesworth, March 2015
- Singing & Education training & Conducting Masterclass, Association of British Choral Directors, Paul Spicer & Julian Wilkins, March 2014
- Singing Workshop, Association of British Choral Directors, John Rutter, March 2013
- Conducting courses, Association of British Choral Directors, Julian Wilkins, Various dates – 2012
Engagements:
· Accompanist – Bob Chilcott Choral Workshop – St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote – February 2020
· DMUCC, Quartet – University Graduation Ceremonies – De Montfort University – January 2020
· Choir – University Carol service – Leicester Cathedral – December 2019
· DMUCC, Quartet – University Graduation Ceremonies – De Montfort University – July 2019
· Choir – DMUCC, daily services - Worcester Cathedral - July 2019
· Chorus - Elijah - St Mary’s Church, Nottingham – May 2019
· Choir – Lunchtime concert - Leicester Cathedral - March 2019
· Choir – University Carol Service – Leicester Cathedral – December 2018
· Bass Soloist – Messiah - St Peter’s Church, Ruddington - December 2018
· Accompanist – NHC, BBC Radio Nottingham’s Carol service – Southwell Minster – December 2018
· Choir – DMUCC, daily services - Peterborough Cathedral - October 2018
· Choir – DMUCC, daily services - Salisbury Cathedral - August 2018
· Chorus – Summer Concert – Grand Hall, St Martins Square, Leicester – June 2018
· Conductor – Masterclass with Dr Amy Bebbington – Surrey – June 2018
· Choir – Lunchtime concert – Leicester Cathedral – May 2018
· Choir – Symphony No.2, “Resurrection” Mahler – St Matthew’s, Northampton – March 2018
· Chorus – Messiah - Royal Albert Hall, London - November 2017
· Chorus - London Musical Theatre Orchestra, London - September 2017
· Conductor – Masterclass with Dr Amy Bebbington – Durham – May 2017
· Chorus - Messiah - Royal Albert Hall, London - November 2016
· Organist – Messiah – St Edward’s, Castle Donington – November 2016
· Soloist – Voice Recital – Loughborough Baptist Church – January 2016
· Soloist – Piano Recital – The VoiceBox, Derby – July 2015
· Soloist – Organ Recital – Loughborough Baptist Church – January 2015
· Masterclass led by Gaynor Keeble – The VoiceBox, Derby – September 2014
· Soloist – Piano Recital – The VoiceBox, Derby – September 2014
· Masterclass led by Nia Lynn – The VoiceBox, Derby – March 2013
Chris divides his time between education and performing in multiple capacities whether that be as a soloist for recitals, concerts, weddings or as an accompanist or choral conductor. He principally works within schools, cathedrals, universities and his own home teaching studio.
Presently, Chris works as a Cathedral Musician in Derby Cathedral Music Department as a Deputy Bass Lay Clerk. He also sings with De Montfort University Chamber Choir whom frequently tour UK Cathedrals to sing for services and perform lunchtime recitals. Duties with the University Chamber Choir include singing at the Bi-annual University Graduation Ceremonies.
As an Accredited Music Teacher for Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership, he provides expert tuition in schools throughout the City and County including, West Park School, Spondon. Also the Musical Director of several choirs and official Accompanist to Nottingham Hospitals’ Choir Chris is frequently involved with performances and workshops throughout the Midlands region.
Highlights of Chris’ career include performances in many prestigious venues throughout the UK including: The Royal Albert Hall; London, BBC Recording studios; London, Southwell Minster, Nottingham Albert Hall, the Cathedrals of: Leicester, Derby, Salisbury, Peterborough, Liverpool, Southwark, Worcester, Truro, Coventry and Lichfield and many other venues.
Chris began studying the piano from an early age and his love for music soon became very apparent. He later began playing the alto saxophone, which, he enjoyed playing in several local bands. As his piano skills developed he began playing for Church services and frequently took part in many concerts. As a consequence of becoming more involved with playing for Church services Chris decided to study the organ and later also began singing tuition under the direction of Ann Miller at The VoiceBox in Derby. Chris sang with Derby City Singers and Derby Youth Choir under the leadership of Ann and Dan Miller, respectively.
Subsequently, Chris trained with Concert Pianists, Opera Singers, Cathedral Organists and many highly acclaimed Conductors. He has taken part in many Masterclasses, Workshops and Professional Development Courses with figures such as: David Lawrence - Associate Conductor, CBSO, Paul Spicer – Conducting tutor, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Julian Wilkins – Conductor, CBSO Youth Chorus, Neil Ferris – Chorus Director – BBC Symphony Chorus, Bob Chilcott – Principal Guest Conductor, BBC Singers, Paul Hale – Former Rector Chori – Southwell Minster, Professor Christopher Underwood – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Nia Lynn – Jazz tutor, Royal Academy of Music, Gaynor Keeble – Welsh National Opera & English Touring Opera and Dr Amy Bebbington – Head of Choral Training, Association of British Choral Directors.
In August 2016 he sang with the Consort Summer School course led by Singing for Pleasure under the direction of Swiss conductor Fabien Volery. He has also sung in the choir for the BBC Songs of Praise television programme, sung under the direction of Bob Chilcott with the BBC singers recording BBC Radio 3's Christmas broadcast and had his own composition published by De Montfort University for their TB awareness video, which was awarded prizes. In December 2018 Chris enjoyed accompanying Nottingham Hospitals’ Choir for BBC Radio Nottingham’s Carol Service which was recorded in Southwell Minster. In February 2020 Chris was delighted to accompany Nottingham Hospitals’ Choir Choral Workshop led by Bob Chilcott in celebration of their 50th anniversary.