Chris Why - Music Director

Chris is a West Yorkshire-based tenor, currently studying under Paul Nilon. 

He began his formal training as a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral under the direction of Charles Harrison. Chris furthered his education at the University of Sheffield, earning a first- class degree in music and receiving the Mrs. Stewart Blake Recital Prize in his final year. During his undergraduate years, he served as a Choral Scholar and Lay Clerk at Wakefield Cathedral. After graduating, Chris was appointed a Lay Clerk at Manchester Cathedral, singing under the direction of Christopher Stokes. 

Now enjoying a diverse career across oratorio and recital work, Chris’s recent highlights include Bach Johannes-Passion (Evangelist) with Lincoln Cathedral Choir, Britten Saint Nicolas at Beverley Minster, Verdi Requiem with Exeter Festival Chorus, Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with the Liverpool Welsh Choral Union, Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle with Bath Bach Choir, Schubert Winterreise at Ripon Cathedral, Handel Messiah with the combined Cathedral Choirs of Liverpool Anglican and Metropolitan, and Stanford Missa Victrix at Lincoln Cathedral. 

Chris has performed with renowned ensembles, including the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service Singers, Stile Antico, and the Armonico Consort. Driven by his passion for choral music, he founded The Tallis Consort, a professional vocal ensemble that has gained national acclaim. Under his direction, the ensemble delivered a sold-out performance of Messiah at Beverley Minster and has also performed Mozart Requiem and Haydn Nelson Mass with the London based Orpheus Sinfonia. He also directs Cawthorne Choral Society. 

Alongside his performing career, Chris is dedicated to developing the next generation of singers. In 2023, he was appointed Acting Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral, where he was Singing Teacher to the Choral Scholars and founded the Cathedral Community Choir. More recently, Chris was the Chorister Singing Teacher at Wakefield Cathedral. He currently teaches singing at Gateways School while maintaining a thriving private practice.