Described in performance as "thrilling and exciting", "electric" and even "shocking", Christopher Orton is recognised widely as one of the leading recorder players of his generation. From early on in his career, Christopher was bestowed many international prizes and awards for his unique talent as a performer. Awards include 1st prize in the 2007 Moeck/SRP International Solo Recorder Competition, (the first British winner since the competition became an international award after 1995), the first BBC Performing Arts Trust Award made to a recorder player for £20,000, 2nd prize at the 10th International Competition of Contemporary Music in Poland 2006, a Prix de Jury and Gaudeamus prize for performance of a Dutch work at the 9th International Competition of Contemporary Music (2005), The Birmingham Conservatoire/Symphony Hall Recital Competition (2004), Silver Medal presented by the Worshipful Company of Musicians (2004), the first ever John Hosier Trust Music Award (2004) and the Anthony Cross Memorial Prize (2004). He has also been awarded scholarships by the Wolfson Foundation, the SRP Walter Bergmann Fund and the Walter Deakin Trust.

Christopher studied recorder, viola and composition at Birmingham Conservatoire from 1999-2004, graduating with a 1st class BMus (hons) and the highest distinction in the Advanced Post Graduate Solo Diploma. He studied in the composition class of Thomas Simaku, and recorder with Ross Winters. He also studied in regular masterclasses with Dan Laurin between 2001-2004, and completed his studies with the internationally renowned soloist Anneke Boeke in Amsterdam. Whilst at the conservatoire Christopher was awarded many prizes in both composition and performance, and was the first recorder player to reach the finals and subsequently win the Symphony Hall competition in 2004, and also was the youngest recorder player to win the Recorder Department prize in his second year of study.

Christopher performs the entire range of repertoire available to the recorder, spanning over seven centuries. Research and performance interests include the Italian Trecento, music of Medieval Spain and Germany, Renaisance divisions and diminutions and 20th/21st century repertoire. Christopher is particularly active in the field of contemporary music, and performs in a duo with Magdalena Nasidlak (piano, Poland) and also with Hungarian guitarist Koltai Katalin. To date Christopher has received 15 works dedicated to him, and actively encourages young composers to consider writing for the recorder. Currently a number of composers from the UK, Greece, Poland and Hungary are writing new pieces for him to perform in 2008. Christopher has performed as a solo recitalist in Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and as a concerto soloist with orchestras in the UK and Italy. He has performed and been interviewed live on BBC Radio 3 "In Tune" programme, and performed and interviewed on BBC 1. He has also performed for BBC programmes including "Restoration" series.

Christopher is an active teacher, working in schools throughout Manchester. He also presents recorder workshops and recitals to school children, and has adjudicated at recorder competitions and festivals.

Most recently Christopher has begun study of the solo Honkyoku Zen shakuhachi repertoire.