James O'Donnell
Making music on the instrument Stravinsky described as 'the monster that never breathes’ is an exhilarating and endlessly absorbing pursuit. The organ rejoices in one of the richest and most diverse repertoires of any instrument. Its history and culture are unique. To engage with this fully is a lifelong endeavor demanding technical and intellectual application, a breadth of musical awareness and curiosity, and, crucially, the development of a wide range of musical skills that will fully equip the organist not only for performance at a high level of artistry, but also for the many demands of a career as a professional organist and church musician, not least working with choirs and other ensembles."
James O'Donnell
One of the most celebrated concert organists, choral conductors, and liturgical musicians of our time, James O’Donnell served for more than a decade as Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral and for more than two decades as Organist and Master of the Choristers (Director of Music) at Westminster Abbey. During his tenure at Westminster, O’Donnell directed the music for many nationally and internationally significant occasions, including the historic 2010 service attended by Pope Benedict XVI and the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) and conducted the Choir of Westminster Abbey in many broadcasts, concerts, and tours.
As an organist, O’Donnell has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls, cathedrals, and churches in the world and has appeared as a soloist with such celebrated ensembles as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and BBC Concert Orchestra. As a conductor, he has worked with the Academy of Ancient Music, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, English Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, BBC Singers, English Concert, and the Yale Schola Cantorum. He is Music Director of the London-based period instrument orchestra St. James’ Baroque. O’Donnell has made more than 50 organ and choral recordings, several of which have garnered such prestigious awards as Gramophone’s Record of the Year and Best Choral Recording.
O’Donnell was President of the Royal College of Organists from 2011 to 2013. He has been awarded Fellowships from the Royal College of Music and the Royal School of Church Music, and Honorary Membership in the Royal Academy of Music. In 1999, Pope John Paul II bestowed on O’Donnell the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory.
O’Donnell serves as Professor in the Practice atthe Yale Institute of Sacred Music and the Yale School of Music, where he teaches graduate-level organ majors and other students in sacred music and directs a newly established professional liturgical vocal ensemble. His connection to Yale dates back to November 2010, when he was artist-in-residence. O’Donnell is also Visiting Professor of Organ and Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London, having served that institution as Professor of Organ from 1997 to 2004.
O’Donnell held a junior scholarship at the Royal College of Music and was Organ Scholar of Jesus College, Cambridge, where he is now an Honorary Fellow. He studied with Peter Hurford, Nicolas Kynaston, and David Sanger and graduated with First Class Honors in Music from the University of Cambridge in 1982.
