Christopher Barton Organist
Chrisopher was born in London and was, from 1975 to 1978 Organ Scholar of Worcester College, Oxford. He also studied organ with Richard Popplewell and James Dalton, and composition with Edmund Rubbra. In 1979 he was appointed to his present post of Organist and Master of the Choristers at Newport Cathedral. Under his direction the choir of boys and men has broadcast frequently and toured both inland and overseas as well as providing choral worship at the cathedral. Many new works have been written for the cathedral choir by such eminent composers as William Mathias, Herbert Sumsion, Philip Moore and many others. In 1996 he was also appointed Assistant Regional Director with responsibility for South Wales for the Royal School of Church Music, in 2000 he received the honorary award of Associate of the Royal School of Church Music, in 2001 the Archbishop of Wales Award in Church music and in 2006 an honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians, all in recognition of his outstanding contributions to church and cathedral music in and beyond Wales.

From 1985 to 1998 he was also Music Director of the Dyfed Choir and has conducted major choral works with nationally and internationally renowned soloists and orchestras. Their final concert together was a performance of Dvorak Stabat Mater in the Smetana Hall in Prague with soloists and orchestra from the Czech National Opera. He has since returned to the choir to guest conduct a performance of by Nicholsons renewed his interest in organ playing and has led to recitals all over Britain and also Germany. Christopher is also active as a teacher with many students at Monmouth School and Rougemont School, as well as private pupils.