Biography

James Aburn graduated from the University of Aberdeen in June 2018 with a first-class degree in music and continued his studies in Aberdeen to receive a distinction in his Masters. During his postgraduate studies he specialised in choral composition under the supervision of the celebrated royal composer Professor Paul Mealor. 

James has written an array of choral music. In 2018 he conducted the world premiere of his setting of Ave Maria, in Warsaw's Arch Cathedral whilst on tour in Poland. Since then James' music has received performances all over the world including the USA to Poland, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. 

He has received multiple commissions from choirs across the globe and in July 2019 the London Mozart Players premiered Silent Shadows, a work for string orchestra, at JAM on the Marsh festival. 

Whilst in Aberdeen, James was the assistant conductor of the University of Aberdeen Chapel Choir between 2017-2019, where he acted as the rehearsal pianist and conductor for weekly services. As part of this role, James worked with world class musicians including composers Morten Lauridsen and Sir James MacMillan, and conductors Michael Zaugg, James Jordan and Mark Singleton. Performance highlights include singing at the BBC Proms under the baton of Marin Alsop and Sir Donald Runnicles. 

James is also a proficient clarinettist. As principle clarinettist for the University of Aberdeen Symphony Orchestra and Marischal Chamber Orchestra (2016-2017), James performed a wide variety of orchestral repertoire including Stravinsky’s Firebird and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. James has also performed solo recitals in Aberdeen and elsewhere across the country, and was a finalist in the prestigious 2017 Ogston Music Prize.

James is now based in East Sussex where he continues to compose and work as musical director and accompanist for local choirs, including the South Down Singers and Stonegate Choir. James currently teaches music and composition at Bede's Senior School, a leading HMC institution, where he is the Assistant Director of Music. He is currently working towards his PhD in composition at the University of Aberdeen under the supervision of Professor Mealor and Professor Campbell.