Music CV

Chris Brody

violist, singer (bass/baritone), fixer, promoter

Profile

Experience – Education and training – Work history – Awards & scholarships – References – Contact

Sensitive and dynamic violist and bass/baritone singer wishing to expand his expertise and repertoire via learning and performance opportunities with like-minded musicians. Has extensive knowledge of baroque, classical, romantic, modern and contemporary music gained from a BA(Mus) degree and many years’ experience as a performer, orchestral chairman, manager, fixer, promoter, arranger, radio presenter, concertgoer and listener.

Experience

Orchestral – Solo and chamber – Singing

Orchestral

Principal viola
Currently section leader for Surrey Sinfonietta and Camerata of London

Prior work as principal viola with I Maestri, Skolia Orchestra, Camerata Santa Dorotea, Orchestra of St Paul’s, Dartington Festival Orchestra, British Youth Opera, Morley Chamber Orchestra, Georgian Festival Orchestra, Guildhall Chamber Orchestra, Schaffhauser Kammerorchester

Trials and extra work
English String Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra

Tutti viola
Carl Rosa Opera Company, Keld Ensemble, English Symphony Orchestra, Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra, New London Sinfonia, North Downs Music Group, Orquestra do Porto, Welsh National Opera, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sidcup Symphony Orchestra, St Endellion Festival Orchestra, Thames Sinfonia, Orpheus Sinfonia, various others

Sessions
Camerata of London, London Telefilmonic Orchestra (Levine Andrade), Chris Singleton, Dallapiccola Ensemble, The Nites

Concertmaster
Brandeis University Orchestra, 1981 – 85

Solo & chamber music

Chamber music performances in London and around the UK, in Europe including Zurich, Paris, Budapest and in the US including Pittsburgh, Boston and New York City. Ensemble partners have included Paul Guinery, Margaret Bassett, Tony Gray, Douglas Finch, Steven Wray (piano); Alice Butcher, Julia Burkert, Annmarie McDade, Natalee Jeremic, Richard Milone, Alexander Mottok, András von Tószeghi, Jonathan Truscott, Tomas Tulacek (violin); Alexis Bennett, Juan Drown, Geoffrey Irwin (viola); Anna Tam, Tim Gill, Robert Merkler, Helen Neilson and Sarah Westley (cello); Roy Chilton, Owen Rump (double bass); Hanna Jüneke (flute); Sarah Devonald, Hilary Dennis (oboe); Mark Lacey, Elisabeth Ganter (clarinet); Alec Forshaw (bassoon), Lindsay Kempley, Sarah Maxwell (horn), among many others.

Chamber ensembles played 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)

Singing (bass/baritone)

Started singing with Barts Choir in 2003. Since then has been invited to sing with Midsummer Opera Chorus, Syred Consort, Anton Bruckner Choir, English Arts Chorale among other vocal ensembles.

Formed the Camerata Singers in 2005, a chamber choir consisting primarily of professional instrumentalists who also sing.

Sang carols as part of a solo quartet
in concert in Burgh House in 2013
Step-out solos in Bach’s St Matthew Passion with the Syred Consort (2012)
Sang in a 12-voice choir for multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah (2009-2013)
Took part in small choir for an outdoor piece by Orlando Gough involving alphorns, yodelling choirs, drummers and cowbells
Selected for Barts semi-choir
within weeks of taking up singing
Attended workshops with BBC Singers and masterclasses with David Mason
Camerata Singers contracted to sing carols (four to eight voices) in Oxford and Regent Streets on multiple occasions

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, 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
Internal quality auditing, London, 1999
Introduction to management, London, 1998
Advanced IVR courses (various), 1993 – 1995
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 various string quartet arrangements
Viola and violin tuition in independent schools and privately
Promotion and fundraising work for various ensembles and soloists

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.