James Williamson  studied composition at the University of Huddersfield with the late Patrick Standford. After completing his degree he studied a year with Bryn Harrison before heading to the Royal Academy of Music to study a Masters with Philip Cashian as well as Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Simon Bainbridge, Bent Sørenson and Hans Abrahamsen.

He has had performances and collaborations with ensembles and performers including the London Sinfonietta, Quatuor Diotima, Manson Ensemble, National Theatre, CoMA London, Aurora Orchestra, Galliard Ensemble, Ensemble Firebird, Croation Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Pula Symphonic Orchestra, Österreichischen Symphoniker, Rhodri Davies, Barry Webb and Franko Bozac. James has also had pieces premiered at Canterbury Sounds New and HCMF.   He was commended for his Aurora Orchestra commission Chamber Concerto for the RAM Eric Coate’s Composition Prize. James also won the inaugural Lunar Saxophone Quartet New Music Award in December 2007 with his piece In Memoriam. This piece is now published by Staunch Music and has been recorded on the LSQ’s album ‘Flux’ released February 2011 by Signum Classics. This was subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction.  Recent performances include his piano piece Gesualdo Fragments commissioned for the York Late Music 2013 season and a commission for the Delta Saxophone Quartet. Franko Bozac and the Österreichischen Symphoniker recently performed James’ accordion concerto The Hole of Horcum in their most recent “International Series” season, in Linz. The concerto has recently been broadcast on Radio 3 Belgrade, Serbia.

James has for two years been the recipient of the Terry Holmes Composition Scholarship.

 

Supervisor Dr Martin Suckling

 

Links

http://jameswilliamsoncomposer.wordpress.com/

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