James MacMillan

Sir James MacMillan is a renowned Scottish composer and conductor, currently serving as a Visiting Professor. He studied music at Edinburgh University and completed doctoral studies in composition at Durham University under John Casken. His career includes roles as Artistic Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Music of Today series, Composer/Conductor with the BBC Philharmonic (2000–2009), and Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic (2010).

His major works include Tryst (1990), which launched his international career; the percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel (1992); and Seven Last Words from the Cross (1994). Notable operas include Inés de Castro (1996) and Clemency (2014). Recent works include Symphony No.4 (2015) and concertos for violinist Vadim Repin, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and others.

MacMillan’s music has been featured at major festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival, South Bank’s Raising Sparks, and the Grafenegg Festival. He has received prestigious awards including the CBE (2004) and a knighthood (2015). His recordings, including Veni, Veni, Emmanuel and Symphony No.3: ‘Silence’, have won multiple accolades.

• Education:
  • BMus, Edinburgh University
  • Doctoral Studies in Composition, Durham University (advisor: John Casken)

His research interests focus on contemporary orchestral composition, sacred music, percussion writing, and the intersection of music with dramatic narrative. He launched the Cumnock Tryst Festival in his hometown in 2014.