Christopher Redgate is currently the Evelyn Barbirolli Research Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music. He is the designer of the Howarth-Redgate system oboe: an instrument built with extended capability for 21^st century music that includes microtones, multiphonics, extended range and electronics. He now performs exclusively on this instrument.

Since his time as a student at the Royal Academy of Music (1975-79), he has specialised in the performance of contemporary oboe music and developed significantly several aspects of oboe technique, leading him to a re-evaluation of a number of performance practices.

Christopher Redgate has performed in most European countries, Scandinavia, Australia, America, Canada, Mexico and China. He has worked with many ensembles including  Quatuor Diotima, Ensemble Exposé, The Arditti Quartet, Suoraan, Ensemble Modern, Kreutzer Quartet, London Sinfonietta, The Coull Quartet, Lontano, Firebird Ensemble, Music Projects/London, The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Ixion, Apartment House, Trio Krosta, Topologies and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.

A three year Arts and Humanities Research Council fellowship (2009-2012) at the Royal Academy of Music enabled him to re-think the key-work of the oboe and, in collaboration with Howarth of London to build the Howarth-Redgate 21^st Century Oboe.

Many composers have written for him including Brian Ferneyhough, Michael Finnissy, Richard Barrett, Sam Hayden, Roger Redgate, Edwin Roxburgh, Christopher Fox, James Clarke, Paul Archbold, Dorothy Ker, Michael Young, Fabrice Fitch, David Gorton, Rob Keeley, Joe Cutler, Edward Cowie and Gwyn Pritchard.

He regularly gives oboe master classes, composition classes and research seminars and, from 1986 to 1992 he was the oboe teacher at the International New Music Course in Darmstadt. He has given presentations at the Royal Academy of Music, Southampton University, Codarts University in Rotterdam, Royal Scottish Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Trinity College of Music, The Royal Welsh College of Music, Huddersfield University, Blaire School of Music in Nashville, Goldsmith’s College and at Kingston University. He is also an experienced adjudicator and examiner.

Recordings can be found on the Oboe Classics label, Metier/Divine Art label and NMC. His recordings have received substantial critical acclaim. With the composer Paul Archbold he has written and recorded the research and teaching material: Multiphonics and the Oboe which is now available on iTunesU. He broadcasts regularly for BBC Radio Three.

He has contributed articles to Contemporary Music Review, professional journals and several chapters in multi-authored books. He is currently writing a book two short books: Composing for the Contemporary Oboe and Help! I have to play something contemporary: tips for oboists.

Christopher Redgate studied at Chethams’ School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music and was taught by Richard Morgan and Evelyn Barbirolli. During his time at the Academy he won a several prizes and represented the Academy in a number of concerto performances. Prizes in international competitions including the Gaudeamus Competition, The Royal Overseas League, Martigny International Competition, and the ISM marked the beginning of his professional performing career.