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.
Charlie Trueman
Accompanist
Charlie is an 18-year-old baritone based in Wakefield, currently studying with Chris Why and serving as a junior choral scholar at Blackburn Cathedral. His musical journey began as a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral, where he was a finalist in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition for two consecutive years, with the latter broadcast on BBC One's Songs of Praise.
Alongside his work at Blackburn Cathedral, Charlie is a choral scholar with the Tallis Consort. In November 2024, he performed the step-out solos in Handel’s Messiah with the ensemble to a sold-out nave of Beverley Minster.
Having recently received full marks for his ARSM Diploma in singing, Charlie is currently working towards his LRSM in singing. His musical interests extend beyond voice, as he is also pursuing Grade 8 Piano and enjoys playing the organ, occasionally performing for Evensong at his local church.
In addition to his performance career, Charlie is an accompanist for Cawthorne Choral Society. In September 2025, he will begin the RNCM Joint Course in Manchester, where he plans to further his musical studies and expand his performance and academic horizons.
​