James began playing the clarinet at the age of 9 at his school in a group lesson. Two years later he won a Junior Exhibition to attend the Royal College of Music (RCM) Junior Department, where he studied clarinet with Angela Fussell for 7 years.
James simultaneously followed degree courses in Physics at Imperial College London, and Music at the Royal College of Music, studying clarinet with Colin Bradbury (BBC Symphony Orchestra), and E-flat clarinet with Richard West (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields). During his studies, James was Highly Commended in the RCM Concerto Competition, performing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto. James has since performed the Weber, Mozart and Finzi clarinet concertos with orchestras in London and across the UK.
After graduating, James completed a PhD in Astro-Particle physics at St. Catherine's College, Oxford University.
James has performed as an orchestral and chamber musician in many of the country’s leading concert halls including the Barbican, Festival Hall and the Purcell Room, as well as giving solo performances at the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, and performances for BBC Radio 3.
James has participated in masterclasses with many leading clarinettists including Jack Brymer, Gervase de Peyer and Andrew Marriner. He was also one of the founding members of the British Clarinet Ensemble, and was Principal Clarinet of the group during the early 2000s, touring across Europe.
James is based in the New Forest in Hampshire, where he freelances with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the UK. He also teaches privately in Hampshire and Dorset, and teaches clarinet and saxophone at schools in Hampshire and London. James is Principal Clarinet of the Nova Foresta Classical Players, with whom he has performed across the South-West of the UK, and in chamber concerts playing the Mozart and Weber Clarinet Quintets.
As a music practitioner for The Amber Trust, James works with young people in Dorset, Hampshire and Berkshire between 2-13 years old who have visual impairments and learning disabilities, and runs workshops in schools for young people with learning disabilities and autism. James is also an adjudicator for awards and competitions and adjudicated the Beaulieu Music Awards in 2024.
Copyright © 2024 James Marchese