Originally from Portsmouth Ohio, Chris has been in the San Diego area since 1982 where he has been involved in many facets of music making throughout the city. His resume includes serving as Conductor and Production Assistant for San Diego Comic Opera (Now Lyric Opera San Diego), Ballet Pianist and Principal Staging Pianist for the San Diego Opera, Musical Director and Pianist for the San Diego Opera Ensemble, Principal Accompanist and Artistic Director for the San Diego Men’s Chorus, Staff Pianist and Musical Director for San Diego State University’s Choral and Opera Theater Programs. He has been principal pianist for the San Diego Master Chorale, as well as assistant conductor and eventually interim conductor for the ensemble, preparing repertoire for the San Diego Symphony. Mr. Allen has prepared choral ensembles for three concurrent summer Symphony Pops Concerts for Broadway Rocks.
Chris joined the San Diego Women’s Chorus in 1996 and he has been thrilled to conduct this group of wonderful women. Chris’ expertise in choral singing has been a terrific benefit to SDWC. He has become so in tune with the vocal strengths and abilities of the women in the chorus that he is able to arrange music to perfectly fit their voices. SDWC is proud to have had Chris at the podium for GALA performances in San Jose, Montreal, and Miami, as well as well as Sister Singers performances in San Diego and Chicago.
For spring 2011, he will be preparing a choral ensemble for May performances with Orchestra Nova.
Mr. Allen is also the organist for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and maintains a vocal music website: www.vocalmusicsandiego.com
