About Chris

Chris Stanbury (born 1980) lives in Banstead, Surrey. He started playing the electronic organ at the age six at the Croydon Yamaha Music School.

In 1989 he was selected to play an instrument, solo, at the Yamaha Junior National Showcase in Solihull. Chris remembers being thrilled at the opportunity to fulfil his ambition, that of being able to play to an audience, something which he had wanted to do since seeing artistes such as Glyn Madden, Martin Harris and Max Takano perform.

At the age of ten Chris was encouraged to branch out and explore the hidden mysteries of the theatre organ. After only a few hours tuition under the expert guidance of Len Rawle, he entered the ATOS ‘Young Organist of The Year’ competition, for which he was awarded the Christie Cup. Despite his enthusiasm for electronic instruments, Chris has a fond love for the Cinema organ and relishes the opportunities he gets to perform on them. His appetite whetted for keyboard instruments, Chris also took up studying both the Piano and Classical Organ, playing regularly for weddings and Sunday services at his local church.

In 1992, at the age of 12, Chris won the National Yamaha Electone Festival (Junior Section) and appeared as a guest performer in the UK finals of the Open Section at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

Chris found that his concert work had, regrettably, to be put on hold during his final years at school and then for a further two years during which he obtained his A Levels as well as his ALCM and LLCM music diplomas.

In January of 2001 Chris returned to stage work, beginning the first year of an already busy concert diary playing the Yamaha EL900 Electone. His concert programme consists of all styles of music and caters for all tastes - from classical through to jazz and to pop. Recordings of Chris’ performances have featured on BBC Southern Counties Radio alongside the world-renowned organist Hector Olivera.

As well as giving concerts, Chris has now completed his Bachelor of Music degree from the London College of Music obtaining Honours. He will now be going ahead with his Master's Degree. Aside from studying at the college, Chris also teaches keyboards and piano there part-time and successfully passed his Fellowship diploma (FLCM) in June 2001.

Chris has just added another name to the Stanbury Clan with his marriage to Natalie Pritchard, now Mrs Stanbury.

Chris's Photo Gallery

Chris's Concert Diary