Christopher Norton
 


Christopher Norton’s music needs no introduction: his world-famous Microjazz series has been played by students of all ages for decades!

Combining the pop and jazz sounds students enjoy with the technique they need to learn, Microjazz has become a long-standing favourite with both teachers and players. Chris is now well established as a composer, producer, arranger and educationalist.

He has written stage musicals, ballet scores, piano music, popular songs and orchestral music as well as jingles and signature tunes for TV and radio, and has spoken at conventions across the globe.

Chris enjoys working with both children and their teachers and is particularly interested in helping would-be improvisers get started.

Suitable for

Peripatetic teachers of any instrument AND/OR students with some playing
experience

Facilities required

Two or more pianos (or keyboards), a CD player, participants’ own instruments
and an overhead projector with screen (if possible)

Duration

Half or full day

No. of participants

Up to 100 (depending on size of venue)

Publications used

Many award-winning publications, including: Microjazz and Microstyles series’
Essential Guides to Pop, Latin and Jazz Styles; the Rock, Country,
Latin and Jazz Piano Preludes Colletions’; the Big Beats play-along series;
Concert Collections and The Easiest Way to Improvise

For an up-to-date list of Chris' forthcoming events, please click here.

Microjazz series: ‘How can anyone doubt its huge influence and spot-on originality! Many have tried to ape it but no-one has improved on it’.
Piano Magazine

‘A real boon – the best addition to the beginner teaching repertoire I’ve seen in years’.
Graeme Humphrey (Professor of Piano, Royal Academy of Music)
 ‘The teacher pedagogy presentation was excellent. Chris gave an indepth presentation on how to perform his music. It was very enlightening as up to this moment we were only guessing as to performance and style techniques. This was a highlight for the teachers’.
Piano teacher, Alberta Music Conference,
Canada
 
‘The students were captivated by his colourful style of presentation as well as the practical, useful and insightful comments that he gave. It is certain that Mr Norton had a significant impact on all those who attended... His art will continue to impact on others for generations’.

Fort McMurray Music Teachers Association report, Canada


Author

Christopher Norton
was born in New Zealand in 1953. After graduating he began his career as a teacher, pianist and composer, and began to develop an interest in popular music. Coming to the UK in 1977 on a scholarship at York University, he studied composition with Wilfred Mellers and David Blake. Chris is best known for his world famous series Microjazz and his award winning Essential Guides to Pop Styles, Latin Styles and Jazz Styles.

 

News Music in Education

07/13/2009
Q&A with Christine Barron
It’s been 20 years since the launch of Christine’s award-winning tutor books ... more


07/13/2009
Calling all singers!
Schott at ABCD 2009 This year, Schott will be exhibiting at the Associaton of British Choral ... more


09/04/2008
Christopher Norton Goes to Newcastle
Christopher Norton at the Centre for Life ... more