James Davies - Musical Director

James Davies is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. A native of Swansea, he began his music career as a chorister in St Paul’s Church Choir, Sketty, under the late Dr Ian Graham. Aside from singing, James’ principle instrument is the tuba, which he studied for 4 years under Sean O’Neill (WNO). James is the Principal Tubist for the Royal British Legion Band of Wales and the Band of the South Wales Constabulary. In 2009, James formed his own chamber choir ‘In Spiritu’ and conducted them in many prestigious venues including Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, York Minster and numerous Cathedrals throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. In Spiritu has represented the City of Swansea during their tour of Cork (2012), Dubin (2014) and Edinburgh (Easter 2016). Over Easter 2019, the choir sang services and concerts at Barcelona Cathedral, Monserrat Abbey and at Basilica Sagrada Familia during their tour of Barcelona. James was an alto Lay Clerk at Llandaff Cathedral and now sings for Brecon Cathedral Choir. He deputises for the choirs of Gloucester, Hereford and Newport Cathedrals. James also held the post of alto ‘Musician in Residence’ at the Hereford Sixth Form College throughout his final years at College. During his time at the Sixth Form College he sang with the chamber choir for two speciality CD recordings, accompanied the choir on tours of Belgium, Cambridge, Wells, London and Durham, sang for a BBC broadcast and played for numerous orchestral and big band concerts. Upon completion of his postgraduate studies, James was appointed as Orchestra Manager of the Welsh Sinfonia and a brass tutor and conductor for Gwent Music. James has served as Guest Conductor of the Gower Chorale for their civic performance of ‘Messiah’ in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea in 2015 and also as Guest Conductor of Kington Choral for their performance of ‘The Armed Man’ and Rutter ‘Requiem’. In the same year James was also invited to attend the commemoration of the Normandy Landings and to conduct the Massed Bands of the Pegasus Memorial. In January 2016, James was appointed as Director of Music for the Alveston Singers and in 2018 he was appointed to Youth Choir of Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Music Service. James directs the Gwent Music Community Wind Band and was made an Honorary Patron of Swansea Male Choir as a result of directing them at their Annual Concert in 2019.