Biography
Christopher Maxim was Organ Scholar and a prize winner at the University of Bristol and was awarded a full research studentship to Cardiff University, where he completed his PhD in music in 1996 at the age of 25. His other musical qualifications include the LMusTCL and Fellowships of London, Trinity and the Victoria Colleges of Music (FLCM, FTCL, FVCM).
As a musician, Chris is an active composer, conductor, organist and pianist. He also works as a music critic, reviewing CDs, new music and scholarly editions, and continues his academic interests by continuing to write occasional scholarly articles. His primary musical passion is composition and his output includes choral music, instrumental music and songs. His music is performed in countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, the Channel Islands, China, Denmark, Holland, Germany, South Africa and the USA; as well as throughout Great Britain. His music has also been broadcast on BBC and American radio; recorded on several CDs; and featured in music festivals (including Vale of Glamorgan, Machynlleth and the Gloucester Three Choirs). It has been performed in such prestigious venues as St Paul's Cathedral, London and many other British cathedrals, the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and regularly on the largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world at the Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia, USA. His music is published by a number of companies, including Banks Music Publications, Fagus, Paraclete Press (USA), The Royal School of Church Music (St James Music Press in the USA), and Stainer & Bell. A large selection is also available online at scoreexchange.com. Chris has been Organist & Director of Music at St Matthew’s, Bethnal Green since 2003. He conducts the Giltspur Singers (a London-based chamber choir, which he founded in 2003) and the St Teilo Singers (a liturgical choir that sings at cathedrals and other major churches).
His teaching experience includes private tuition, higher education and secondary education, in which his various roles have included Head of Music, Gifted & Talented Students Coordinator, Head of Performing Arts, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. He holds a PGCE in Secondary Music from the Institute of Education. He is a Fellow of the College of Teachers (FCOT), a Chartered London Teacher, and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Chris is a diploma examiner for the Guild of Church Musicians and is training to be an examiner for the ABRSM.
As a musician, Chris is an active composer, conductor, organist and pianist. He also works as a music critic, reviewing CDs, new music and scholarly editions, and continues his academic interests by continuing to write occasional scholarly articles. His primary musical passion is composition and his output includes choral music, instrumental music and songs. His music is performed in countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, the Channel Islands, China, Denmark, Holland, Germany, South Africa and the USA; as well as throughout Great Britain. His music has also been broadcast on BBC and American radio; recorded on several CDs; and featured in music festivals (including Vale of Glamorgan, Machynlleth and the Gloucester Three Choirs). It has been performed in such prestigious venues as St Paul's Cathedral, London and many other British cathedrals, the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and regularly on the largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world at the Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia, USA. His music is published by a number of companies, including Banks Music Publications, Fagus, Paraclete Press (USA), The Royal School of Church Music (St James Music Press in the USA), and Stainer & Bell. A large selection is also available online at scoreexchange.com. Chris has been Organist & Director of Music at St Matthew’s, Bethnal Green since 2003. He conducts the Giltspur Singers (a London-based chamber choir, which he founded in 2003) and the St Teilo Singers (a liturgical choir that sings at cathedrals and other major churches).
His teaching experience includes private tuition, higher education and secondary education, in which his various roles have included Head of Music, Gifted & Talented Students Coordinator, Head of Performing Arts, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. He holds a PGCE in Secondary Music from the Institute of Education. He is a Fellow of the College of Teachers (FCOT), a Chartered London Teacher, and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Chris is a diploma examiner for the Guild of Church Musicians and is training to be an examiner for the ABRSM.
