In 1945 their functions were separated: Cade was given the orchestra and Chinner made choirmaster. In 1946 the Adelaide Singers supplanted the Adelaide Wireless Chorus, and their broadcasts when relayed interstate generated considerable interest. In 1941 Chinner succeeded John Dempster as conductor of the Adelaide Philharmonic Choir, which became one of Australia's finest, in March 1946 notably performing Mendelssohn's "Elijah" at the Town Hall, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the noted bass-baritone Harold Williams in the title role. In the 1950s he made several highly praised appearances as guest conductor in other Australian capital cities:  Chinner was involved with Robert Dalley-Scarlett's programme of recordings to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. He supervised the public musical performances given during her visit to Adelaide in 1954, and a similar programme for the Queen Mother's visit in 1958. In 1955 the ABC recorded a set of Australian Christmas Carols, composed by William G. James, lyrics by John Wheeler, with the Adelaide Singers conducted by Chinner and the South Australian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Patrick Thomas. Chinner died of a coronary occlusion on 5 November 1961 at the Netherby home of his sister. His remains were buried in Centennial Park Cemetery. Chinner married actress Cecilia Sands (c. 1928– ) on 1 August 1953. They separated soon afterwards and divorced in 1959.