Who's Who - Director of Music, James Vivian

James Vivian is the Director of Music & Organist of the Temple Church, where he directs the professional choir of men and boys of whom the Daily Telegraph recently commented, 'The Temple Church Choir is a formidable force, finely honed and blended'. As an organist, he is known equally for his outstanding interpretation of the solo repertoire as for his colourful and inventive accompanying; he is one of England’s most sought-after young organists.

James Vivian was educated at King's College, Cambridge where, for four years, he worked closely with its world-famous choir which included playing for the annual A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast to tens of millions worldwide. Before Cambridge, he was Acting-Assistant Organist of Lincoln Cathedral. His teachers during this period included Colin Walsh, Dr Philip Marshall and David Sanger. He was a prize-winner in the Fellowship examination of the Royal College of Organists, and was awarded a scholarship to study the French organ repertoire with Marie-Louise Langlais in Paris.

James has appeared in many Festivals (including the BBC Proms, Aldeburgh, The Three Choirs Festival, and the Lincoln Festival in New York City), and has played recitals and concerts throughout the world (including Japan, Brazil, South Africa, USA, Bermuda and Europe). He has broadcast on many national radio stations as a soloist, and has recorded with labels such as Decca, Priory, Sony BMG, EMI and Hyperion. His organ CD from the Temple, Passacaglias from the Temple Church, was critically acclaimed and featured on BBC Radio's CD Review. He has also been an examiner for the The Royal College of Organists.

James is Artistic Adviser to the year-long 2008 Temple Festival, and future plans include directing a new and fully-staged production of Dido & Aeneas in London. He is co-founder of two professional ensembles - The Temple Players and Temple Brass - with whom he presents concerts, including a popular series of Cantata Concerts at the Temple Church. He is returning to the USA in summer 2008 to play at the Riverside Church in New York City, and on the Kotzschmar Organ at the City Hall in Portland, Maine.