James O'Donnell

Who is James O'Donnell?

James O'Donnell, KCSG, FRCM, FRSCM, HonRAM is Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey. He has held this position since 2000.

O'Donnell was born in Scotland but moved to England and attended Westcliff High School for Boys and the Royal College of Music and later attended Cambridge University, where he was Organ Scholar of Jesus College. He graduated from university in 1982 to be appointed Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, succeeding as Master of Music in 1988. He was Professor of Organ at the Royal Academy of Music from 1997 to 2004, and is now Visiting Professor of Organ. In July 2010, O'Donnell began his term of office as President Elect of the Royal College of Organists. He served as President Elect until January 2011, and served as President until June 2013, being succeeded by Catherine Ennis.

He has received several awards and honours. In 1998 his Hyperion disc of Martin and Pizzetti Masses with Westminster Cathedral Choir received the Gramophone Award for Record of the Year and Best Choral Record.