James Mooney-Dutton

Biography

for James Mooney-Dutton

"James Mooney-Dutton, played Piece Heroique by Franck, a work described by Mr Wright as a most demanding composition. The performance was praised as a tour de force."
Peter Wright, Southwark Cathedral 2003

"The rendition by Organ Scholar James Mooney-Dutton was just magnificent!"
Eastern Daily Press 2004

James Mooney-Dutton began his early musical training in the choir of St. Giles’s Church, Ickenham before moving to Westminster Abbey as a chorister. There he sang at many state occasions, including the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the golden wedding service for HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

James’s musical education continued as a music scholar at Harrow School where he achieved A-levels in English, Music and Religious Studies. Whilst there James appeared in the school’s eight main ensembles, singing and playing the flute and piccolo. He took part in a CD recording and tours to Europe, and studied the organ with Richard Walker.

After leaving school, James took up the post of Organ Scholar at Norwich Cathedral, which he combined with conducting the Viva Voce Singers. At Norwich Cathedral James’ duties included accompanying and directing the Cathedral choirs, playing for special services and arranging the visiting choirs’ diary. He studied the organ with David Sanger at Cambridge University.

In September 2005, James was appointed Organ Scholar at the Royal Parish Church of St Martin in the Fields. James accompanied and directed the choral scholars and Choir of St Martin in the Fields on a regular basis as well as accompanying a concert performance of “Choral Favourites”.

As an organ recitalist, recent venues have included St. James’s Cathedral Toronto, Magdalen College Oxford, Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church in Cambridge, Norwich Cathedral, St Andrew’s Hall Norwich, Queen’s College Oxford and Tewkesbury Abbey. In August 2006, James accompanied mezzo-soprano Hannah Allchin-Kolyszka in a performance of Les Angelus by Louis Vierne, three pieces for organ and voice, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at St Mary’s Cathedral.

James frequently travels to Canada to perform. In 2006 he accompanied tenor Mark Dubois, baritone Bruno Cormier and the choir of St Peter’s Erindale in a Good Friday performance of Stainer’s The Crucifixion and on Good Friday this year James accompanied a performance of Faure’s Requiem. In August James will accompany the choir of St Peter’s during their UK tour to Lincoln Cathedral, St George’s Chapel Windsor and Southwark Cathedral. A keen conductor, his recent conducting appearances have included Handel’s Messiah in Attleborough, Norfolk.

He has twice attended the Oundle International Course for organists and has participated in masterclasses with amongst others Dame Gillian Weir, Kevin Bowyer and David Goode.

James is Director of Music at St Lawrence Church Eastcote, vocal teacher for the London Borough of Hillingdon Music Service, piano teacher and organist at Quainton Hall School, Harrow.

He currently studies the organ with Margaret Phillips at the Royal College of Music where he is studying for a Bachelor of Music degree.