Mr. Chris E. Bell This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Chris Bell Master of the Music

   www.chrisbell.free-online.co.u - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/20/2005   Last Visited: 9/6/2006

   Chris Bell was born in Colchester in 1968. His musical career began when he was nine, on his admission into the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. During his time in the choir he toured America and Canada, and made countless television and radio broadcasts, as well as recordings both sacred and secular, even rising to the number two position in the pop. charts with Paul McCartney. Perhaps the highlight was singing at the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981.
   
   Chris's education continued as a music scholar at Lancing College , in Sussex. The school is famous for its vast neo-Gothic chapel, and boasts a fine choral reputation. With this choir Chris toured Europe, singing in the great cathedrals. He also began to take an interest in conducting and directing orchestras and choirs.
   
   In 1987 Chris was appointed Director of Music at Ashdown House Preparatory School in East Sussex. Although originally appointed for a year as a 'gapper' to help out in the Music Department, he took the reins and so fell in love with teaching that he continued for another year.
   
   In 1989 Chris became an undergraduate in the Music Department of the University of York . Here many eminent musicians, among them Peter and Yvonne Seymour, David Thomas and Ian Partridge taught him singing.
   ...
   While in York, Chris became a member of the Minster Choir, and also built up a teaching practice at the University and at the College of Ripon and York, St. John. He co-founded and conducted the University Glee Club, and was Musical Director of the Gilbert and Sullivan society.
   
   In 1993 Chris married an alto in one of his choirs, and they moved to Norfolk. Chris took up the post of Director of Music at Taverham Hall Preparatory School, where he continues to work now. He runs a very busy department, and has taken the school's Chapel Choir on tour in this country and abroad. The choir has made broadcasts and recordings, and choristers have been used in television programmes on several occasions.
   
   In 1998 Chris became Master of the Music at St. John's Cathedral in Norwich. He also conducts the Hethersett Choral Society . He is a member of the Royal School of Church Music 's course staff, and runs courses for choristers and choir trainers across East Anglia. He is well known as a trainer of voices and choirs. Visit www.happygnome.co.uk for RSCM related fun.
   
   Chris has sung in the great churches of Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Holland, America and Canada. He has had an audience with His Holiness the Pope, and has performed in the Sistine Chapel. He has toured America playing trumpet and piano with a jazz band.
   
   As a solo recitalist, Chris is known for his performances of early Lieder, a genre hardly known in this country.
   
   Chris composes for voices, and has had works recorded and broadcast. His music is in the repertoire of several Cathedral choirs.
   
   Something of a car enthusiast, Chris is the owner of a 1938 Morris 12. Visit www.morris12.com for more information.
   
   Chris and Sally's daughter, Emily, was born in March 1998. Their son, Archie, was born in September 2001.

2. 2. Norfolk County Music Festival

   www.nfkcountymusicfest.co.uk/l - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/1/2004   Last Visited: 11/29/2007

   There were, of course, many music teachers from all over the County representing both schools and the private sector, and it was a particular pleasure to welcome Chris Bell, Director of Music at St John RC Cathedral and Taverham Hall School.

3. 3. Taverham Hall - Staff List

   www.taverhamhall.co.uk/informa - [Cached]

   Published on: 2/5/2007   Last Visited: 2/5/2007

   Mr. Christopher E. Bell