James Murphy - Career Update
James Murphy is the current organist and Church Music Outreach programme coordinator at the National Seminary of St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. A first class honours music graduate from Maynooth University, it was at St. Colman’s College, Newry that James was exposed to the organ as an instrument commencing studies under brother Colm Murphy. During this time, James was given many opportunities as a soloist and accompanist which included works such as Haydn’s Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo. During this time he was also provided with many organ masterclasses with organists such as Philip Stopford, Nigel McClintock and Dr. Emma Gibbons. Upon commencing music studies at Maynooth University he continued studying the organ under Dr. David Connolly and in his final year, Professor Gerard Gillen. He also acted as the organist at the Parish of Seapatrick, Banbridge and regularly plays for liturgies at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.
As a keen choral singer James has been a member of the Ulster Youth Chamber Choir and the Charles Wood Singers under the direction of David Hill. He was also assistant director of the International award winning ‘Choir of the World 2015,’ Maynooth University Chamber Choir with whom he recently embarked on a trans - world tour in March 2016 touring across the United States and China. He is also the current assistant director and co - founder of the acclaimed Northern Ireland based Gaudeamus Chamber Choir.
Over the past year James has given recitals throughout Ireland. These venues have included St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, St. Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh, St Michael’s Church, Enniskillen and St. Mary’s Pro - Cathedral, Dublin. In addition to these recitals James was also a main recital soloist at the first Rostrevor Choral Festival performing alongside renowned composer Morten Lauridsen. In addition to a busy life as an organist, James is also a part - time lecturer in Music Education in Froebel College of Education, Maynooth as well as researching into the pedagogy and history of organ tuition at the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles, a field of research he wishes to pursue with doctoral studies.
James won the organ competition at Newry Musical Feis in 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012
Back