A nationally-recognized conductor and concert organist, James Walker entertains and enlightens audiences throughout the United States, and his solo recitals are broadcast on National Public Radio. Winner of the prestigious Mader National Organ-Playing Competition in 1986, he is a featured soloist at Bach festivals and regional and national music conventions.

Now Booking through June 2025

  • Interim Organist and/or Interim Choirmaster for churches
  • Collaborative Artist for choral concerts, chamber music, special events
  • Guest Conductor for major works, festivals, special events
  • Consultant for hiring musical leadership, training in church music administration, purchasing an organ
  • Clinician for choir retreats, professional development for musicians
  • Private Instructor/Coach for organists and choral conductors

Contact for bookings

Previously

Director of Music and Organist-Choirmaster
All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, California, 1991–2017
Mr. Walker conducted the church’s two 55-voice adult choirs, and administered and produced an ambitious, varied program of church literature, ranging from gospel, jazz and world music to traditional full-scale orchestral/choral works. The choirs also premiered works by outstanding Los Angeles-based composers.

Guest performances included:

  • American Choral Directors Association
  • Association of Anglican Musicians
  • American Guild of Organists
  • Los Angeles Philharmonic holiday concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Canterbury and Coventry Choirs were the only church-based choirs invited to perform Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand with the LA Phil in 2012 under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel.

Artistic Director
Los Angeles Bach Festival, 2014

College Organist and Instructor of Organ
Occidental College, Los Angeles, 1981–2004

Commendations

  • Honorary Canon, Cathedral Center of St. Paul, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
  • Winner, Mader National Organ-Playing Competition, 1986

Studies

  • Undergraduate and Master of Music degrees: University of Southern California School of Music
  • Organ instructors: Marcia Hannah Farmer, Ladd Thomas and Cherry Rhodes
  • Conducting coaches: Thomas Somerville, Leo Nestor, James Vail, William Schaefer, and with Helmuth Rilling as a masterclass conductor at 1998 Oregon Bach Festival
  • Piano instructors: Maria Jankay, Evelyn Paddock Smith and Gustav Riherd
  • Voice instructors: Barbara Dyer and Reid Bruton
  • Afro-Cuban drumming coach: Charlie Ray