Chris is the Principal Trumpet of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since September 2013. He has also performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, amongst others. Chris also performs in and runs the Inner City Brass Ensemble, a young quintet that is building its reputation within London and on the national festivals circuit.
Chris originally started playing the cornet at the age of four, studying at home with his mum, Susan Avison, up until the age of 16, when he went on to study the trumpet with Paul Archibald, Dan Newell, and Paul Beniston. He obtained his Bachelor of Music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying under Philippe Schartz. He then went on to gain a distinction in his post-graduate Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music, and was awarded the Diploma of the Royal Academy for outstanding performance in his final recital, studying with James Watson, Rod Franks, Robert Farley, John Hutchins and Mark David.
During his studies, Chris participated in masterclasses with Reinhold Friedrich, Eric Aubier, Malcolm McNab, Crispian Steele-Perkins, Derek Watkins, Canadian Brass, Onyx Brass, Fine Arts Brass and Boston Brass.
Chris has recorded regularly with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and many other ensembles, as well as featuring as a soloist on 'Dragons' Rise – A Tribute to Professor James Watson', raising money for the James Watson Fund, with Marylebone Brass.
Chris has also had the honour of performing for His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, on three occasions.
Alongside his busy performing schedule, Chris is passionate about supporting young musicians and aspiring performers. In September 2010, he organised an outreach concert at the Royal Academy of Music conducted by Professor James Watson and featuring the Symphonic Brass Ensemble that was attended by 150 children from schools in the Camden area. He has taught across his home county, Bath and North East Somerset, as well as at the John Lyon School in Harrow and St. George's College in Weybridge. He also plays an active role in delivering outreach sessions to inspire school children to take up a musical instrument for the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Chris is pleased to endorse Bach trumpets, and plays on a Bach Stradivarius R180S37