Chris will raise his voice for Italian job
●●ITALIAN FOLK SONG AND SELECTION FROM SCHUBERT’S WINTERREISE AT ST CHAD’S
YOUNG tenor Christopher Why, from Wakefield, will be giving a recital of lieder and song, accompanied by Linda Hinchcliffe, in the iconic setting of St Chad’s, Rochdale Parish Church the latest of the popular Saturday lunchtime concerts.
The programme will include Italian folk song and a selection from Schubert’s Winterreise.
Chris Why is a freelance tenor and currently studies with Paul Nilon.
He commenced his formal training as a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral under Aric Prentice.
Chris continued his education at the University of Sheffield, where he gained a first-class degree in music, receiving the Mrs Stewart
Blake recital prize in his final year.
In his undergraduate years, Chris served as a choral scholar and lay clerk at Wakefield Cathedral.
Upon graduating, he obtained a lay clerkship at Manchester Cathedral under the direction of Christopher Stokes.
As a soloist, Chris enjoys a varied mix of oratorio and recital work.
Recent highlights include Bach Johannes-passion (Evangelist) with Lincoln Cathedral Choir, Britten Saint Nicolas at Beverley Minster, Verdi Requiem with Exeter Festival Chorus, Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle with Bath Bach Choir, Schubert Winterreise at Ripon Cathedral, Handel Messiah with the combined Cathedral Choirs of Liverpool Anglican and Metropolitan and Stanford Missa Victrix at Lincoln Cathedral.
Chris has performed with numerous ensembles, including the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service Singers, Stile
Antico, and the Armonico Consort.
His interest in polyphonic works led him to establish and direct his own professional vocal ensemble, the Tallis Consort, which he has directed since 2017.
As two entities, the consort consists of a highly regarded professional quartet that performs across the country and a larger ensemble for concerts.
As part of the Tallis Consort’s upcoming engagements, the group will deliver varied programs across the North of England.
Chris is committed to educating and developing young singers despite being in the early stages of his career.
In 2023, Chris was appointed the acting director of music at Sheffield Cathedral, where he also taught singing to the Choral Scholars and founded Sheffield Cathedral Community Choir.
Currently, Chris teaches singing to the choristers of Wakefield Cathedral and the pupils of Gateways School. In his spare time, Chris also runs a thriving private singing practice.
Linda Hinchcliffe started learning piano at the age of four and gained an Associate and Licentiate diploma in performance and then a graduate degree in music from London College of Music followed by a PGCE from Reading University.
She has taught music to all ages throughout her career and still into her retirement (to a lesser extent these days.)
Highlights of her career include being MD for productions such as Oh What A Lovely War, My Fair Lady and Oliver and playing in the pit for various amateur groups through Yorkshire.
She has accompanied numerous examination students ranging from Grade 1 to Diplomas, various recitals with singers and instrumentalists and numerous charity concerts.
From 2006 to 2019 she was the accompanist for Leeds Youth Opera rehearsing two operas/large scale musicals every year and performing with the orchestra when required.
Notable productions being Love for Three Oranges, Appomattox, Candide, Magic Flute, Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables. For the past few years, she has accompanied and helped various societies and loves nurturing and encouraging the next generation of musicians.
»●St Chad’s, February 24, »●Refreshments available from 11.30am and included in the admission charge payable on the door of £6.
»●The concert is from noon to 12.50pm
»● Further information is available from Jill Midgley 01706 639162. j.midgley448@ btinternet.com