Photo by Nigel Harper

Chris Bishop currently holds the position of 3rd/1st Horn with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa.  Born and educated in England, he gained his MA in Music Performance from the University of Southampton and completed a Postgraduate Diploma at Trinity College of Music, London before turning professional in 2005.  His teachers have included Michael Murray, Jonathan Lipton, Frank Lloyd, Stephen Stirling and Roger Montgomery. Chris has played as a freelancer with orchestras and ensembles internationally.  His most notable appearances have been with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra Education, Orchestra of the Swan and as principal with Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of South Africa, Swansea City Opera, Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the European Union Chamber Orchestra.

As a soloist, Chris has performed R. Strauss’ 1st Concerto, W. A. Mozart’s 3rd Concerto and ‘Hunding’ by the English composer Martin Butler. He has also held the positions of solo horn with the London Contemporary Music Group, the London Myriad Ensemble, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain, Marine5 and the Neptune Ensemble.  Chris is an experienced ensemble coach and instrumental teacher.

Curriculum Vitae
Christopher Bishop – Horn, Wagner Tuba

Christopher James Bishop Date of Birth: 3rd March 1979 Nationality: British

tel: +27 (0)78 133 0371 (South Africa mobile) chris@chrisbishop.org

Current Position: 3rd/1st – Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, South Africa

Qualifications
2003-2005 Postgraduate Diploma (Horn).  Trinity College of Music, London
2002-2003 MA Music Performance (Horn).  University of Southampton
1999-2002 BA (Hons) Music, 2.1.  University of Southampton

Orchestral Experience      
African Renaissance Opera (Guest Principal)
British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra of South Africa (Guest Principal)
European Union Chamber Orchestra (Guest Principal)
Jersey Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Guest Principal)
National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain (Solo Horn)
New Orpheus Ensemble (Co-Principal)
The New Professionals
Orchestra of the Swan
Philharmonia Orchestra Education
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Extra Horn)
Seychelles International Festival Orchestra
Swansea City Opera (Solo Horn)

Solo Experience
Mozart’s 3rd Concerto - Brent Symphony Orchestra/Levon Parikian (London, June 2006)
Martin Butler’s ‘Hunding’ for solo horn - London Contemporary Music Group (Cardiff, March & London, May 2007)
R. Strauss 1st Concerto – Essex Youth Orchestra/Robin Browning (Florence & Perugia, August 2007)

Chamber Experience (as Solo Horn)
London Contemporary Music Group
London Myriad Ensemble
Marine5
Neptune Ensemble
SE10
Wessex Brass

Recordings
National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain ‘Something Old, Something New’ NYJCD 023 (Solo Horn, 2004)
National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain ‘London Pride’ NYJCD 025 (Solo Horn, 2006)

Teaching Experience
Essex Music Service, Hackney Music Service & Centre for Young Musicians at Morley College, UK
Private Brass Teaching (all ages) since 2000.
Workshops for all ages with NYJO, London Myriad Ensemble, Concordia Foundation.

Referees
Mike Murray  (BBC Symphony, London)  Jonathan Lipton (London Symphony Orchestra)