Daniel Savidge (Computer Science Student at the University of Bristol)

I really enjoyed working with Chris who helped produce the sound effects for my team’s 3rd year games project at Bristol University. Our game 'Breached' focused on a character navigating the dangers of a sinking submarine. 

Music played a massive part in our game and helped convey the sense of jeopardy required to immerse users in the game. Chris recorded and mastered various custom sound effects we required - including robotic arm movements and creaking sounds. After play-testing our game, he suggested using reverb to give the effect of a dense space, which exaggerated the claustrophobic feel we wanted to get across. We really felt this added to the game.

In addition to this, Chris went to great effort to create and master the water-based sounds which made our game sound like a real submarine. Such effects included splashing and flowing sounds that were created in his bath! These were then edited with software so that they sounded right for our game.

 

Grace Stangroome (Computer Science Student at the University of Bristol)

Chris created music for a game, Skyward Broadside, that myself and my team developed as part of our undergraduate Computer Science degree at the University of Bristol. He was an absolute pleasure to work with, communication was easy and very effective, and he was professional and friendly the whole time. Chris repeatedly gave me clips of the track in development, which I was able to give feedback on. Chris produced a track myself and my team were overjoyed with, and was exactly what we were looking for. I would be delighted to work with him again.

 

Filipa Gaspar (Animator at the University of the West of England)

Chris composed the music for our animated short film and he really brought it to life! What really impressed me about Chris was the fact that he really listened to our feedback every step of the way and understood what we meant, which was reflected on the final piece. I believe he really understands what it takes to be a film composer and would definitely recommend him if you're looking for someone talented who knows what he's doing!

 

Emma Proux (Film director at Cardiff University Film Society)

Chris was amazing to work with for the short film 'Hey, Can You Do Me a Favour?' He captured exactly what I wanted for the scenes he helped me with, and was patient with my creative decisions! Not only were our working sessions so productive but also really fun! Can't wait to work on future projects and see your name on credits of brilliant films!

 

Andrew O'Donnell (Master's Student in Animation at the University of South Wales)

I needed original music for my animated film on my masters course. Christopher created a dynamic and stimulating score within the required time.  He was always quick to respond to requests and suggestions and kept me regularly updated on his progress.  I believe his music makes the project complete and I appreciate all the hard work and skill he put into it. 

 

Jenny and Paul Shryane (Chester Youth Theatre) 

As directors of the successful Chester Little Theatre Youth Theatre from 2011-2019, which engaged in a variety of original work with young people, we were delighted to benefit from Chris's musical creativity. In response to our requests, he created a wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack for our dramatisation of Coleridge's ghostly, surreal poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (1798) which he performed live at Theatr Clwyd in North Wales in July 2016. We were lucky enough to engage his musical abilities again for a totally different work - "The Man Who Disappeared" - a verbatim political drama based on Private Harry Farr's execution for cowardice during WW1 and his subsequent pardon in 2006. The first composition created the ghostly atmosphere of edginess, starting from over blown celebratory enthusiasm to the stark bleakness of death and final redemption. Chris's second soundtrack, in tackling a totally different subject matter and style, captured the transition from Edwardian London to the horrors of trench warfare and the psychological disintegration of the central character.

 

David Michael Unplugged (George Michael Tribute Singer)

Chris created two backing tracks for my George Michael tribute performance, "Praying for Time" and "You & I". He listened to the original tracks in detail and created his own version in the same timing and I can sing with confidence at the same time as George Michael. I'm the first solo singer he has created backing tracks for and can honestly say he is awesome and would recommend him to any solo singer who needs a backing track made. 

 

Dr Daniel Bickerton (Cardiff University Director of Learning and Teaching)

Chris has been a pleasure to teach at Cardiff - he is ambitious, dedicated and a keen composer and technician. He is reliable, trustworthy and extremely dedicated to his work and I highly recommend him!

 

Clare A Thompson (Director of Music at Upton-by-Chester High School)

Chris is a truly inspirational composer and incredibly talented pianist.  His attention to musical detail is evident in his effervescent melodies and emotive harmonies. Chris writes with his heart and many of his compositions reflect the spirit of many of the great film composers that have inspired him. He is a huge talent who will soar to greatness. 

 

Simon Phillips (Head of Music and Performing Arts at Christleton High School)

Chris is a talented, creative and conscientious musician who has always shown a brilliantly passionate and, equally, academically driven approach to his music-making. I've had the pleasure of hearing some of his performance and composition work which has always shown great clarity of artistic purpose and thought, as well as an individual stamp of flair, backed by musical understanding and empathy. 

 

Bethan Jones (Cardiff University BMus Graduate)

Chris accompanied me in a performance of 'No Good Deed' from the musical Wicked. He is a very talented pianist as well as an attentive accompanist. He was always a joy to rehearse with and is genuinely passionate about the music he plays. I also sang on Chris's track 'Phantom'. This experience was extremely enjoyable and I was very impressed with Chris' attention to detail. 

 

Tamara Sullivan (Cardiff University BMus Graduate)

Chris accompanied me in a performance of Telemann's Oboe Sonata in A Minor. He is a wonderfully talented pianist and this is reflected greatly in his attention to detail and stylistic interpretations. Chris was a great help in the rehearsals leading up to the performance and I would highly recommend him for any other instrumentalists or vocalists needing accompanying.