Chris Brody
modern and baroque viola, singer (bass/baritone), fixer, promoter
Profile
Experience – Education and training – Work history – Awards & scholarships – References – Contact
Sensitive and dynamic violist and bass/baritone singer seeking to expand his expertise and repertoire via performance opportunities with like-minded musicians. Chris has extensive knowledge of baroque, classical, romantic, modern and contemporary music gained via a BA(Mus) degree, postgraduate studies in Switzerland and London, and many years of experience as a chamber and orchestral performer, fixer, artists’ manager, promoter, arranger, radio presenter, concertgoer and listener.
Experience
Orchestral – Solo and chamber – Singing
Orchestral
Principal viola
Principal viola & sectional leader for Barnet Symphony Orchestra, Camerata of London and Surrey Sinfonietta. Principal viola work with Skolia Orchestra, Orchestra of St Paul’s, Dartington Festival Orchestra, British Youth Opera, Morley Chamber Orchestra, Georgian Festival Orchestra, Guildhall Chamber Orchestra, Schaffhauser Kammerorchester.
Orchestral trials / extra work
English String Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra.
Other tutti viola work
Carl Rosa Opera Company, English Symphony Orchestra, Keld Ensemble, Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra, New London Sinfonia, North Downs Music Group, Orpheus Sinfonia, Orquestra do Porto, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sidcup Symphony Orchestra, St Endellion Festival Orchestra, Thames Sinfonia, Welsh National Opera, many others.
Sessions
Camerata of London, Chris Singleton, London Telefilmonic Orchestra, Dallapiccola Ensemble, Tamara Barschak, The Nites, others.
Concertmaster
Brandeis University Orchestra, 1981 – 85
Solo & chamber music
Regular performances in the UK, Europe and the US. Partners include Paul Guinery, Douglas Finch, Steven Wray (piano); Julia Burkert, Annmarie McDade, Natalee Jeremic, Richard Milone, Jonathan Truscott (violin); Alexis Bennett, Juan Drown, Geoffrey Irwin (viola); Anna Tam, Carina Drury, Tim Gill, Robert Merkler, Helen Neilson (cello).
Chamber ensembles performed with include altoTune, Harmoniemusik, Camerata of London Trio and Quartet, Crystal Palace Quartet, Lundonia Ensemble, Limelight Quartet, Australis Ensemble, Kleines Zürcher Ensemble.
Concertos performed include Telemann: Viola concerto in G; Bach: Concerto in d for two violins, Violin concerto in a minor, Concerto in d minor for oboe & violin, Brandenburg concerto nos. 3 and 6; Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks; Mozart: Sinfonia concertante (violin and viola parts).
Singing (bass/baritone)
Choirs sung with include Anton Bruckner Choir, English Arts Chorale, Midsummer Opera Chorus, Six Centuries Chamber Choir, Syred Consort among other ensembles.
Formed the Camerata Singers in 2005, a chamber choir consisting primarily of professional instrumentalists who also sing.
Solo roles have included step-out arias in Bach’s St Matthew Passion, carols and Midnight masses as part of a solo vocal group.
Other highlights include taking part in small choir for an outdoor piece by Orlando Gough involving alphorns, yodelling choirs, drummers and cowbells, workshops with BBC Singers and masterclasses with David Mason.
Education and training
Principal viola / violin teachers
Simon Rowland-Jones, Pavlo Beznosiuk, Jack Glickman, András von Tószeghi, Wilma Smith, Robert Koff, Herbert Greenberg.
Singing teachers / coaches
Andrew Watts, Paul Martyn-West, Jörg Schnass, John Upperton, Emma Cavadino, Ivor Setterfield, Leslie Olive.
Courses and qualifications
- Advanced Baroque Orchestra, Dartington International Summer School, 2018
- Singing tuition in London, Brussels and Devon, 2004 – present
- Orchestral Conducting course, Morley College, 2004 – 2005
- Masterclasses, chamber and orchestral courses in viola, violin and conducting, USA and Europe, 1987 – 2004
- Introductory conducting course, Braunwald (Switzerland), 2003
- Post-Diploma Orchestral Training, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, 1988
- Certificate of Advanced Study, Schaffhausen Konservatorium, Switzerland, 1987
- Bachelor of Arts, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA, 1985
- Scholar’s Diploma, Peabody High School, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 1981
Work history
Freelance musician
1988 to present
- Frequent orchestral, chamber music and vocal performances in London and surrounding areas
- Chairman and fixer, Camerata of London and Surrey Sinfonietta (2000 to present)
- Founding member, Lundonia Ensemble and Crystal Palace String Quartet
- Creator of many string quartet arrangements
- Viola and violin tuition in independent schools and privately
- Promotion, fundraising and management for ensembles and soloists
- Web design, development & hosting for musicians and ensembles
- Photography and videography for musicians
Full employment history [pdf]
Awards, Scholarships
- Paul Katz Memorial Scholarship for Viola (GSMD), 1987
- Merchant Taylors’ Award, 1987
- Marton Scholarship, 1986 – 88
- Siegel Prize for Music (Brandeis University), 1985
Other interests
Activism, photography, travel, hiking, reading, cycling, skiing, cooking
References
Available on request.