© James Vivian, 2011

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 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 also been an examiner for the The Royal College of Organists and has broadcast on many national radio stations as a soloist. James has recorded with labels such as Decca, Priory, Sony BMG, EMI and Hyperion.  The new Temple Church Choir CD and both of his solo organ CDs from the Temple were critically acclaimed. A new recording by the Temple Church Choir was released on the Signum label in January 2012. Find out more>.

In 2003, James co-directed the first performances of Sir John Tavener’s magnum opus The Veil of the Temple with Stephen Layton, an all-night vigil consisting of instrumentalists, large choirs and soloists. James was Artistic Adviser to the year-long 2008 Temple Festival and is founder of three professional ensembles - The Temple Players, The Temple Singers and Temple Brass - with whom he presents concerts, including oratorio and other large-scale choral works, opera, and a popular series of Cantata Concerts. James' recent engagements took him to Yale University, The Curtis Institute of Music and other US venues, Germany and Italy.

Biography