Renowned Scottish Pianist Christopher Baxter is in constant demand as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician, giving performances throughout the UK, (including the Royal Festival, Steinway, Wigmore and Usher Halls), international festivals in France and Italy, a tour of the Faroe Islands and recitals in China, South Korea and Singapore. Forthcoming appearances include recitals with the ensemble Brass Diversions and a series of performances and recordings of the piano works of Eddie McGuire and John Hearne.
Christopher has many long standing chamber music partnerships, including flautist Aisling Agnew, violinist Alan John, 'cellist Laura Sergeant, trumpeter Tom Poulson and soprano Jessica Leary, and is a founder member of Brass Diversions and the Korça Ensemble. From the outset of his professional life, a devotion to contemporary music has seen Christopher involved the premiere performances of more than 30 works by notable composers and he has appeared on several BBC Radio and Television broadcasts.
Hailing from Aberdeen in the North East of Scotland, Christopher began his musical studies there with Robert Howie at the Aberdeen City Music School and continued at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), completing his BMus (with 1st Class Honours) and MMus (Distinction), where he was tutored by Aaron Shorr, Graeme McNaught and Fali Pavri, as well as receiving regular coaching from the renowned pianist, Nigel Clayton. In addition to success in many competitions, Christopher performed in masterclasses with Roy Howat, Murray McLachlan, Hyoung-Joon Chang, Malcolm Martineau, Roger Vignoles, Julius Drake and Martin Katz.
As an accompanist, Christopher has been involved with several international instrumental competitions and festivals and between 2009 and 2010, held the position of Accompaniment Fellow at the RSAMD, where was awarded the annual Accompaniment Prize. Activities as an educationalist have seen Christopher give masterclasses, seminars on piano technique and repertoire across the globe, most recently in China, Hong Kong and India. Christopher holds posts as piano teacher and accompanist at the specialist music school of Douglas Academy in Glasgow and in 2012, Christopher became the first Associate Accompanist of the National Youth Choir of Scotland and the resident Concert Pianist at Loretto School in Musselburgh. As a pianist on the Live Music Now scheme, Christopher gave more than 250 performances, and as a grade and diploma examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, has travelled extensively throughout the UK and Asia.
Piano Adjudicator Welcomed back to Aberdeen