We're delighted to announce that James GR Campbell is Inverurie Choral Society's new Director of Music. James has been our wonderful accompanist since the autumn of 2003, with two Christmas Concerts, our spring Come & Sing, and the 2024 summer concert all successfully achieved with us. He's a very worthy successor to the much-respected Faith Ockwell and we're eagerly looking forward to our Choir developing under James's expert and enthusiastic direction.
James brings a wide range of experience, which can be seen in his Bio:-
James G.R. Campbell is a theologian and musician based in Aberdeen. Having received the
Iverach Prize in Systematic Theology, he graduated in 2021 with First Class Honours in the
field of Dogmatic Liturgiology examining the doctrinal content of the eucharistic liturgy of
the Scottish Episcopal Church. His current research focus is the theology of congregational
singing as well as writing Advent and Lent courses.
He has held various music posts around the city and Shire, currently Organist at Fountainhall
Parish Church (based at the Stocket). James also served on the committee of Aberdeen and
District Organists’ Association and ran the Royal College of Organists approved Swell to
Great course for reluctant organists. As a recitalist, he has given concerts all over the world in
places such as Dundee, Warsaw, Rome and Thurso. In addition to all of this he remains in
demand as a teacher.
His current projects include writing a workshop/book called Let the People’s Praise You, O
God on the relationship between clergy, organists, and congregational singing. He is also
preparing some of his arrangements and compositions for (re-)publication – including a book
of his hymn arrangements.
James is a Member of the Royal College of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music, the
Association of British Choral Directors and holds a Licentiate of the Guild of Musicians and
Singers.
Outside of music he is Chaplain at Aberdeen Methodist Church where he has oversight of
Open House and Open Table – an initiative that feeds over 150 people each week who come
through the doors with various needs, addictions, and challenges. When he can catch his
breath, he likes not to be found walking with his camera (usually in the direction of a café!)
or trawling antique and charity shops to find yet another item of pointless tat he didn’t know
he had space for!
We wish him a warm welcome into Inverurie Choral Society.
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