James O’Donnell

James O’Donnell is one of the foremost concert organists, choral conductors, and liturgical musicians of his generation. He served for over two decades as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey and as Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral. During his tenure, he led music for numerous significant occasions, including the 2010 service attended by Pope Benedict XVI and the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

As a concert organist, O’Donnell has performed in prestigious venues globally and collaborated with renowned ensembles such as the London Philharmonic and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestras. His conducting engagements include the Academy of Ancient Music, Britten Sinfonia, and the BBC Singers, and he is currently Music Director of St. James’ Baroque. He has made over 50 organ and choral recordings, earning awards such as Gramophone’s Record of the Year.

O’Donnell was President of the Royal College of Organists (2011–2013) and holds fellowships from the Royal College of Music and the Royal School of Church Music, as well as an honorary membership in the Royal Academy of Music. In 1999, he was named Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory by Pope John Paul II.

He currently serves as Professor at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and the Yale School of Music and is Visiting Professor of Organ and Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music. O’Donnell is also an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated with First Class Honors in Music in 1982.