Chris Orton is developing an international career as one of the leading performers and teachers of the recorder. From early on in his career, Christopher was bestowed many international prizes and awards for his unique talent as a performer. These include 1st prize in the 2007 Moeck/SRP International Solo Recorder Competition, a BBC Performing Arts Fund bursary for £20,000, 2nd prize, a special prix du jury and Gaudeamus prize at the Competition of Contemporary Music 'Krzysztof Penderecki' in Krakow, Poland, 1st prize in the 2004 Symphony Hall Birmingham Recital Competition, Silver Medal presented by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, and the first John Hosier Trust scholarship for £5000. Christopher also benefited from bursaries awarded by the Wolfson Foundation, SRP Walter Bergmann Fund and Walter Deakin bursary.

Christopher performs the entire range of repertoire available, approaching all music with a fresh and contemporary style. He is particularly active within contemporary music circles, and has performed new music by young and established composers in prestigious venues throughout Europe. Since graduating, Chris has performed regularly on BBC radio and TV, including a number of performances on BBC radio 3 programme 'In Tune', and a recent feature about the recorder on BBC TV programme, 'Blue Peter'. in 2010 He will give the world premiere of a work for recorder and piano by one of the UK's most well loved composers, Edward Gregson. 2010 will also include premieres of new works for recorder and guitar, and recorder and piano/electronics.

Chris studied recorder with Ross Winters at Birmingham Conservatoire, and composition with Thomas Simaku. He also benefited from regular masterclasses with Dan Laurin between 2001-2004, and from 2004-2008 he studied with Anneke Boeke.

Chris has developed a reputation as an inspiring teacher and workshop leader. He teaches recorder and chamber music at Chethams School of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire and for Manchester Music Service. He has given masterclasses and workshops at the RNCM, York University and Krakow Academy of Music. He is also a tutor for the National Youth Recorder Orchestra. Chris has also worked as a recorder specialist for juries and performance schemes, including Live Music Now!.

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