James Gaughan is an experienced soloist, specialising in the concert and song repertoire. Based in York, James studies at the De Costa Academy of Singing with Michael De Costa.
He gives regular lunchtime recitals throughout the year. Past performances include at Derby, Lincoln, Sheffield and Wakefield Cathedrals; Emanuel United Reformed Church, Cambridge; St Wulfram’s, Grantham; Christ Church, Harrogate Hexham Abbey; St Peter’s, Nottingham; Cross-Street Unitarian Chapel, Manchester; York Unitarian Chapel and others. In the coming months, James is due to perform at Bradford and Manchester Cathedrals, and an evening recital at the National Centre for Early Music, York.
James also performs regularly as soloist with choirs and choral societies. Past concerts include Cantata 140 (Bach) with Horsforth Choral Society; Ein Deutsches Requiem (Brahms) with South Bank Singers; Elijah (Mendelssohn) with Ruddington & District Choral Society and Messiah (Handel) with Hull Choral Union, Market Rasen & District Choral Society, Pocklington Singers and others. Later in the year, he is due to perform Fauré’s Requiem with Horsforth Choral Society and Messiah with Holmfirth Choral Society.
David Hammond has been working in York as a musician since graduating from the University of York in 2002, where he studied piano with Liz Haddon. His career has taken him to all sorts of varied places, such as Castle Howard, York Minster, the Royal Festival Hall and Leeds College of Music.
Much of his work involves accompanying soloists and groups on the piano, including concert work, exams and university assessments. Groups include the South Bank Singers, the Sounds Fun choir, York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir and Fiddlers Wreck ceilidh band. He is a regular musician at the Unitarian Chapel in York.
Aside from this he has run workshops in Javanese Gamelan in conjunction with the
University of York, been musical director for the Flying Ducks Youth Theatre in Haxby and sings with the Clerkes of All Saints, a local liturgical choir.
Sandwiches (£2) and hot and cold drinks (£1) are available from 11.45am in the South Transept before each concert. The concerts start at 12.15pm and are approximately 45 minutes long.
Entry is free with a retiring collection, proceeds of which help to fund the Minster’s organ scholarship.
More information about the Friday Lunchtime at the Cathedral series and future concerts is available by contacting Erik Sharman on 01636 817280 or litmus@southwellminster.org.uk.