Chris Stanbury (born 1980) lives in Banstead, Surrey. He started playing
the electronic organ at the age six at the Croydon Yamaha Music School.
In 1989 he was selected to play an instrument, solo, at the Yamaha
Junior National Showcase in Solihull. Chris remembers being thrilled at
the opportunity to fulfil his ambition, that of being able to play to an
audience, something which he had wanted to do since seeing artistes such
as Glyn Madden, Martin Harris and Max Takano perform.
At the age of ten Chris was encouraged to branch out and explore the
hidden mysteries of the theatre organ. After only a few hours tuition
under the expert guidance of Len Rawle, he entered the ATOS ‘Young
Organist of The Year’ competition, for which he was awarded the Christie
Cup. Despite his enthusiasm for electronic instruments, Chris has a fond
love for the Cinema organ and relishes the opportunities he gets to
perform on them. His appetite whetted for keyboard instruments, Chris also
took up studying both the Piano and Classical Organ, playing regularly for
weddings and Sunday services at his local church.
In
1992, at the age of 12, Chris won the National Yamaha Electone Festival
(Junior Section) and appeared as a guest performer in the UK finals of the
Open Section at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.
Chris found that his concert work had, regrettably, to be put on hold
during his final years at school and then for a further two years during
which he obtained his A Levels as well as his ALCM and LLCM music
diplomas.
In January of 2001 Chris returned to stage work, beginning the first
year of an already busy concert diary playing the Yamaha EL900 Electone.
His concert programme consists of all styles of music and caters for all
tastes - from classical through to jazz and to pop. Recordings of Chris’
performances have featured on BBC Southern Counties Radio alongside the
world-renowned organist Hector Olivera.
As well as giving concerts, Chris has now completed his Bachelor of
Music degree from the London College of Music obtaining Honours. He will
now be going ahead with his Master's Degree. Aside from studying at the
college, Chris also teaches keyboards and piano there part-time and
successfully passed his Fellowship diploma (FLCM) in June 2001.
Contact
Details:
15 Picquets Way
Banstead
Surrey SM7 1AB
Tel. 01737 354350
Email:
christopher.stanbury@btopenworld.com