James began singing at the age of 5, giving his first public performance as a soloist at the Guild Hall in his home town of Grantham. There he also received his initial vocal tuition from Doreen Palmer. After moving to York in 2006, James began studying at the De Costa Academy of Singing. He has performed with other Academy pupils in concerts in a wide range of genres from Musicals to Opera. He has also sung in many local ensembles, including the Clerkes of All Saints North Street. He is currently a member of St Olave's Church Choir, York and is a regular dep for the choirs of Bradford Cathedral and Sheffield Cathedral.
In recent years, James has specialised in the song and concert repertoire. In 2016 James won rosebowls at the Huddersfield (Mrs Sunderland) and Rothwell Festivals, along with the Victor Ludorum Shield for Senior Singing at the Cottingham festival. James also won Oratorio prizes at Cottingham, Grantham and Skipton and a range of song prizes in Cottingham, Huddersfield (Mrs Sunderland), Rothwell and Skipton.
James performs regularly as a soloist with choirs and choral societies. Past performances include of Elijah (Mendelssohn); Stabat Mater (Astorga); Cantata 140 (Bach); Ein Deutsches Requiem (Brahms); Requiem (Fauré); Israel in Egypt (Handel); Messiah (Handel); Paukenmesse (Haydn); Crucifixion (Stainer); St John Passion (Victoria). I have performed with Burton Joyce Choral Society; Holmfirth Choral Society; Horsforth Choral Society; Hull Choral Union; Market Rasen & District Choral Society; Nottingham Hospitals Choir; Ruddington & District Choral Society; Scarborough Choral Society; Sheffield Cathedral Choir; Solihull Chandos Choir; Wakefield Festival Chorus; St Hilda's Festival Chorus (Whitby) and Southbank Singers (York) among others.
James also gives recitals throughout the year. Past performances include at Southwell Minster; Bradford, Bristol, Derby, Edinburgh Episcopal, Lincoln, Manchester, Portsmouth, Ripon, Sheffield and Wakefield Cathedrals; Emanuel United Reformed Church, Cambridge; Holy Trinity, Coventry; St Wulfram's, Grantham; Christ Church Harrogate; Hexham Abbey; Great Malvern Priory; Cross Street Unitarian Chapel, Manchester; St Peter's, Nottingham; York Unitarian Chapel and others.
More information about future engagements can be found at the Events Diary section, with regular updates on Facebook and Twitter @JMGSings.