BIOGRAPHIES

CHRIS NORMAN

Born in Halifax Nova Scotia, Chris began his formal musical studies at the age of ten. His interest in the traditional music of Maritime Canada; Scottish, Irish and French Canadian Styles, drew him from his early path studying classical flute. Chris embarked upon a quest to learn the music from the tradition bearers, travelling across North America and Europe in the 1980's. His subsequent work has explored and redefined the boundaries of both traditional and early-music genres, forging a synthesis that has been embraced by audiences, scholars, and critics of both schools.

His busy performing schedule includes solo engagements and concerts with a variety of ensembles, appearing frequently as soloist with orchestra and touring with his own Chris Norman Ensemble. In years past Chris has also appeared worldwide as a member of the international folk trio, Helicon, and the all-star Celtic fusion group, Skyedance, and the acclaimed early music group, The Baltimore Consort and across Europe with Concerto Caledonia.

Norman’s flute playing can be heard featured in the Oscar winning soundtrack of Titanic as well as other films including Stone of Destiny and Soldier. His solo CD releases have received unanimous praise from critics and audiences alike. His debut Man With the Wooden Flute made the Billboard crossover charts for 12 weeks. Since that time Norman has collaborated, toured and recorded with some of today's most seminal artists in the genres of early music and traditional folk music.

As a composer Chris is the recipient of numerous grants and commissions. Recent works include Out of Orkney, a tone poem for flute, harp, and string orchestra, and The Sunshine of St. Eulalie commisioned by the Ohio State University Flute Choir. His compositions been featured on National Public Radio, the CBC in Canada and the BBC, as well as concert halls in Europe, North America Australia and New Zealand.

Chris regularly teaches master classes and has conducted symposia at many schools of music around the world. He has inspired thousands of musicians both young and old as the founder and director of the Boxwood Festivals and Workshops; celebrating and sharing the music and traditions of the flute, inviting a multicultural and multi-disciplinary dialogue between performers, teachers, scholars, students, and makers of the flute through annual week-long festivals taking place in Nova Scotia, New Zealand, and Taiwan. In each case, Boxwood's participants join with members of the local community to explore points of contact between music, dance, and language. Under Norman's guidance Boxwood has grown into a prominent educational and artistic endeavor running for 16 years, and recognized world-wide.