| Christopher Sparkhall began learning the organ at the age of 10. Within a year he was assistant organist at his local parish church, playing for services and accompanying the choir in concerts. He attended the King's School in Gloucester as an academic and music scholar and was organ scholar at the cathedral during his last year there. Having gained the prize for the highest mark in A level music in 1995, as well as A grades in his other A level subjects, Chris left Kings and took up the organ scholarship at Worcester College Oxford. During his time as senior organ scholar he re-introduced tours and made the first choir CD, 'Christmas Carols from Oxford' which was commissioned by the 'Past Times' chain of shops. In his final year he gained his ARCO. Leaving Oxford in 1998, Chris studied for a PGCE at Cambridge, filling in time singing in Peterhouse Chapel Choir and conducting the Addenbrooks Hospital Choir. He was appointed Assistant Director of Music at Canford School in 1999 and took on the position of Organist at St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge in 2000. He became Director of Music at Canford School in September 2005.
In his spare time, Chris sings with the semi-professional choir, Sarum Voices as well as taking on occasional accompanying and solo performing work. He also examines for the Associated Board.With his wife, Olivia, he founded and runs the Avon Valley Youth Choir.
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