The Saint James's Singers

About the Saint James's Singers

Julian Harris

Julian combines the role of conductor with composing and freelance commitments.

Having conducted the SJS for twenty five years he has now covered all the major milestones of the Western Choral tradition working with illustrious soloists such as Carolyn Sampson, Catherine Bott, Ian Partridge, Andrew Kennedy and D’Arcy Bleiker.  Apart from conducting many local choirs and choruses he has worked all over the UK and has toured to France, Ireland and, most recently Rome, where he conducted the Nelson Mass of Haydn in St Peter’s Basilica. 

He is Deputy Music Director of the LGMC in London with whom he has recently made his debuts in the Queen Elizabeth and Cadogan Halls.  With them he has also performed at the National Portrait Gallery giving the first performance of Orlando Gough’s The Ondaatje Wing to celebrate its Tenth Anniversary. He has also worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Cotswold Theatre Group and Skyscraper Productions. He has also accompanied the Stratford upon Avon International Flute Festival and at the Oxford and Leamington Spa Festivals.  

Julian has established a tradition of including premieres and commissioned works by other composers in his concerts. These include works by composers Guy Woolfenden (Sounds and Sweet Airs – to celebrate the choir’s twentieth anniversary) and Stephen Hancock; he has also conducted premieres of Russell Pascoe's Beata Nobis Gaudea and Arvo Pärt's Arbos.

Of his twenty five years with the SJS he says, ‘Over the years we have sung so many of the great masterpieces, from Brahm’s Requiem last year and Beethoven’s Ninth in the Millennium to the great works of the Baroque, especially the B minor Mass, in 1995 and 2005, and the St. John Passion.  On each and every occasion I have tried to approach the piece as if it had only been written yesterday. Hopefully one can conclude from some of the lovely reviews we have been lucky enough to garner over the years our audiences have felt that we have achieved our aim.  Here’s to the next twenty five years of trying to lift the veil to reveal masterpieces!’

Julian Harris formed the St James's Singers in 1985 when he was organist and choirmaster at St James's Church, Alveston in Warwickshire. Since then, the choir has grown in size and stature to become one of the area's leading ensembles.

Over this quarter of a century they have passed every major choral milestone from Bach's St John Passion to Beethoven's Choral Symphony. They have worked with many leading internationally established stars including Catherine Bott and Ian Partridge, and have worked with young soloists who have gone on to achieve worldwide recognition such as soprano, Carolyn Sampson, and tenor, Andrew Kennedy.

2010 is the choir's 25th anniversary and we will be celebrating this achievement with three major concerts as well as our traditional celebration of Christmas. The first of these concerts was an Easter Messiah. This will be followed by a Silver Jubilee Gala Concert in the Autumn and Bach's Christmas Oratorio in early December. We are delighted that our Patron, Dame Judi Dench, has indicated that she hopes to be involved in these celebrations.

The St James's Singers always use the full orchestral accompaniment in all works and, where appropriate, use the authentic instruments.

The choir has members of all ages, and subscriptions are waived for those who are students or in full time education. Although the choir is based in Warwickshire, choir membership is drawn from London, Bristol, and from the South Coast to Birmingham and Coventry.

The choir also performs at Weddings and private functions.

Saint James's Singers are affiliated to Making Music, which represents and supports amateur vocal, instrumental and promoting societies throughout the UK.

The St James's Singers are a Registered Charity: No.1093543