Chris Duke’s musical journey began at the age of five with a single, triumphant performance of Happy Birthday on the piano, after which he decided he’d pretty much nailed music and took a well-earned ten-year break.
It was only when nobody at school volunteered to pick up a brass instrument that things got moving again. Chris was handed a euphonium largely by process of elimination, and promptly discovered it was exactly where he belonged. That accidental beginning led to studying Applied Music at the University of Strathclyde, where he developed his musicianship across performance and ensemble work.
Since then, Chris has spent much of his life on stage, performing in productions including The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and directing shows such as The Sound of Music, Calamity Jane and The Wiz. A career highlight came when he performed alongside members of the original Commitments in Glasgow, which remains an excellent thing to mention at parties.
He somehow also found time to write two bestselling books.
More recently, Chris has performed with the touring show Broadway Fever and is currently developing One Missed Call, his own one-man musical exploring men’s mental health. He brings all of that experience, energy and genuine love of music to Rock Choir, where he is thrilled to be doing considerably more than Happy Birthday.
