James Lancelot

James Bennett Lancelot (born 2 December 1952) was Master of the Choristers, and Cathedral Organist at Durham Cathedral from 1985 until 2017.

Contents

• Bbc choral evensong durham cathedral 2002 james lancelot
• The grand organ of durham cathedral james lancelot
• Honours
• References

Lancelot was educated at St Paul's Cathedral School and Ardingly College. At 16 he was the youngest of his generation to attain the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists. He went up to King's College, Cambridge, where he was Organ Scholar from 1971-74. Prior to moving to Durham Cathedral, Lancelot spent ten years as Sub-Organist of Winchester Cathedral

Lancelot's time at Durham Cathedral was a period of expansion: in 1997 he founded Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers, a Cathedral voluntary choir made up of singers from the town and the University. The Consort quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading chamber choirs in the region. The Cathedral Choir itself was expanded with the introduction of girl choristers, in addition to the boys. The girl and boy choristers usually sing separately, but have an equal workload and parity of status.

The commissioning of new music was a feature of James Lancelot's tenure. Notable works include John Tavener's Ikon of St Cuthbert, James MacMillan's Missa Dunelmi and several important pieces by John Casken.

He has been a member of the Royal College of Organists Council since 1988, and most recently of its Executive and Library Committees. He also conducted for the Durham University Choral Society.

In 2008 he was appointed a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music

In 2013 he was appointed President of the Incorporated Association of Organists

In the summer of 2017, after 32 years in post, he retired from his position as Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral.

He has released several acclaimed recordings, including a DVD of Elgar's Organ Sonata and a CD of J.S. Bach's Orgelbuechlein.

In his spare time, James Lancelot is a steam railway enthusiast.