James Gourlay

James Gourlay is the Besson International Chair in Brass and Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). He previously served as Head of the Wind, Brass and Percussion department and held roles at the Zurich Opera House Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra. His career spans performance, conducting, and leadership in brass ensembles, including winning multiple Swiss National and Open Contests with the Brass Band Berner Oberland. He is also Director of Instrumental Music at Wheeling Jesuit University and conductor for orchestras like the Sinfonica in Campinas. Gourlay has commissioned over 50 solo works for tuba and is recognized for his versatility across classical, avant-garde, and pop music genres.