James Gilchrist appointed Honorary Professor of Singing

Renowned British tenor James Gilchrist has been appointed as the University of St Andrews’ new Honorary Professor of Singing.

One of the most respected and talented concert, recital and opera singers of his generation, James has a particular affinity with British music and is a remarkable recitalist, finding a perfect balance between textual and vocal clarity.

James, who has a discography of more than a hundred recordings of song, opera and oratorio, is one of the most highly regarded advocates of the role of Evangelist in both J.S. Bach’s Passion settings, which he has recorded and performed with some the world’s most distinguished conductors.

During his visit to St Andrews earlier this year, James worked with members of St Salvator’s Chapel Choir who were preparing to perform the St John Passion, and his input was a significant factor in the success of their performances.

Before joining the University’s Laidlaw Music Centre, James has previously worked in the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Northern College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire. He is currently on the Vocal Staff of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is Chairman of the Association of English Singers and Speakers.

Commenting on his appointment, James said: “I am ever so much looking forward to working with the students at St Andrews. The astonishingly high quality of music-making in the university is a joy to behold, and I find it fascinating that the students come from so many and varied disciplines. I hope I’ll be able to inspire singers and instrumentalists to work together.”

Michael Downes, Director of Music, said: “I have hugely admired James’s singing and his all-round musicianship ever since I first heard him perform as an undergraduate at King’s College, Cambridge, where he was studying medicine. It is obvious how much our very talented student singers will have to learn from a musician as highly regarded on the international stage as James. I know too that his own background as someone who did not initially specialise in music will enable him particularly to empathise with those who wish to sing at a very high level while also pursuing academic studies in another discipline.”

In his role, James will share his expertise with current and future student singers, as well as contributing to the work of the Laidlaw Music Centre more widely.