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. 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 studied recorder, viola and composition at Birmingham Conservatoire from 1999-2004, graduating with a 1st class BMus (hons) and the highest distinction and course prize in the Advanced Post Graduate Solo Diploma. He studied in the composition class of Thomas Simaku, and recorder with Ross Winters, Annabel Knight and Louise Bradbury. He also studied in regular masterclasses with Dan Laurin between 2001-2004, and since then has continued to study privately with the international soloist Anneke Boeke in Amsterdam. Christopher also took lessons and Masterclasses with Piers Adams, Robert Ehrlich, Susanna Borsch and Markus Zahnhausen.

Christopher performs the entire range of repertoire available to the recorder, spanning over seven centuries. 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 2009.
In the field of early music, Christopher peforms regularly with the harpsichordist Laura Tivendale (1st prize winner, 2009 Broadwood Harpsichord Competition) and Charlotte Wilson (2nd prize winner, 2009 Broadwood Harpsichord Competition). He also performs as a regular guest with the Baroque ensemble 'Consort 1700'.
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.