Curriculum vitae

Christopher Bender was born in Offenburg in 1979 as the third of five children. He showed his interest in music early on. Thus, at the age of six, he received his first piano lessons and was considered unusually gifted. The Sunday church visit aroused his fascination for the church organ. Therefore, he was taught since the age of eight on this instrument.

In puberty, the sport - Bender was a passionate decathlete - came to the fore and rested so again and again his musical education. But at the age of 16, he recognized his greatest passion and since then has been preparing for a life as a musician. In addition to classical music, he developed a predilection for electronic music even before it became popular. A combination that was incomprehensible to many.

After his graduation and the subsequent civil service, he began studying church music in Heidelberg. He deliberately chose this musical path, as he recognized the greatest variety of musical activities in the profession of church musician. During this study, he came in contact with the music software "Reason", which represented a virtual recording studio and equipment. He still uses this software mainly even in combination with the new Marcussen / Mühleisen organ. He continued his studies in Freiburg and graduated with the church music A diploma.

Even before his last exam, Bender received the pledge to become a vacant post at St. Johannis-Harvestehude and moved to Hamburg in the spring of 2008 to start work there. Since then he has worked here as organist and choirmaster of the 100-member oratorio choir "Chor St. Johannis" and his vocal ensemble "Vokalwerk Hamburg". With the new organ, which was designed according to his ideas, a big dream came true for him. Because here, in fact, both musical passions for classical and electronic music can flow together in a unique way. At this unique organ, Bender works mainly as an improviser and sound designer. 

At the moment Bender focuses on being recognized as a film musician as well.