Christopher Gabbitas began his musical training aged 8 as a boy chorister at the ancient cathedral in Rochester, UK, continuing studies in voice, piano, violin and organ as a music scholar at Uppingham School and being awarded a Choral Scholarship to St John's College, Cambridge University in 1997. He took a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Law before moving to Christ Church College, Oxford University as a Lay Clerk, completing further postgraduate studies in Law and subsequently qualifying as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court at a City law firm in London. He maintains a media law practice in the UK with Keystone Law, advising clients in creative sectors including music, film, television, branding, licensing and copyright.
Christopher sang with many of the UK's finest choral ensembles including Polyphony, The English Concert, The King's Consort and the Choir of the Temple Church, and under such conductors as Sir Simon Rattle, Stephen Layton and Trevor Pinnock. The wide variety of repertoire sung by these various ensembles, from the music of the Renaissance to contemporary commissions, was the perfect learning experience for later musical endeavours. In particular, during this time Christopher was privileged to work closely with composers Sir John Tavener (on his epic "The Veil of The Temple"), Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Thomas Ades and John Rutter, amongst others, on recordings and live performance projects.
Between 2004-2018 Christopher sang as Second Baritone in The King’s Singers, recording in excess of 30 albums and performing almost 2,000 concerts in many of the world's finest concert halls, churches and cathedrals, as well as commissioning more than two dozen new choral works from amongst the finest contemporary composers. Recognition for the group during this time included two Grammy Awards, a MIDEM Award for best classical concert DVD and an induction into the inaugural Gramophone Hall of Fame. Whilst with The King's Singers, Christopher taught as a visiting clinician at over 500 masterclasses and summer school sessions, helping to shape choirs across the world and building his experience as a teacher and lecturer.
Since 2019 Christopher has led a bespoke Master of Vocal Chamber Music degree at the University of Redlands that combines choral ensemble singing with the study of essential business skills required by all professional musicians. In the same year he was appointed to the post of Artistic Director with Phoenix Chorale, the Grammy Award-winning professional choral ensemble based in Arizona, where he conducts regular performances, directs commercial recordings and leads the Chorale’s educational outreach and access program.
BA (Hons), MA, St John's College, University of Cambridge
Post-Graduate Diploma in Law, Oxford Institute of Legal Practice
Member of The Royal Society of Musicians
2004-2008 Prince Consort Ensemble-in-Residence, Royal College of Music, London
2009 Grammy Award - Best Classical Crossover Album
2010 MIDEM (Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale) Award - Best Concert DVD
2011 Inaugural inductee to The Gramophone Hall of Fame
2012 Grammy Award - Best Choral Performance
2015-2018 Ensemble-in-Residence, Royal Holloway, University of London
