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The conductor of the Westminster Abbey choir<\/a> <\/strong>is James O\u2019Donnell. In fact, to give him his full title, O\u2019Donnell is organist and master of the choristers of Westminster Abbey.<\/p>\n As the person in charge of music at the Abbey, O\u2019Donnell will have a key role to play at the Queen\u2019s funeral on 19 September. Let\u2019s find out more about the man and his career.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Born in 1961, James O\u2019Donnell is currently 61 years old.<\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell has held the post of organist and choirmaster of Westminster since 2000.<\/p>\n As organist and choirmaster at Westminster, O\u2019Donnell has been responsible for the music at national ceremonies held at the Abbey. These have included the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 2002, and the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. He will also be arranging the music at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II<\/a><\/strong>, in Westminster Abbey on 19 September.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> O\u2019Donnell\u2019s first major role was as assistant master of music at Westminster Cathedral<\/strong><\/a>, where he subsequently became master of music in 1988. He later worked as professor of organ at the Royal Academy of Music, the UK\u2019s oldest conservatoire<\/strong><\/a>, from 1997 to 2004. More recently, in 2010-13, O\u2019Donnell served as president-elect, and subsequently president, of the Royal College of Organists.<\/p>\n Later this year, O\u2019Donnell will take up a new position as professor at the Yale School of Music<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Yale Institute of Sacred Music <\/a><\/strong>and Andrew Nethsingha will take over his role at Westminster Abbey<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 and therefore quite likely presiding over the music for King Charles III coronation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell learned his trade as organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge.<\/p>\n Various awards and honours have come O\u2019Donnell\u2019s way. For example, during his tenure there, Westminster Cathedral Choir won a\u00a0 Royal Philharmonic Society Award<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 the first choir to win such an award. Later, after leaving Westminster Cathedral, O\u2019Donnell was awarded the papal honour of Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great (KCSG).<\/p>\n He has also been elected a\u00a0fellow of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM), an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music (HonRAM), and a fellow of the Royal College of Music<\/strong><\/a> (FRCM).<\/p>\n Last but not least, O\u2019Donnell set to music the words of Psalm 139, O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me<\/em>. He conducted this setting for the reception of the Queen\u2019s coffin at\u00a0Westminster Hall during the week of official mourning.<\/p>\nHow old is James O\u2019Donnell?<\/h3>\n
How long has he been at Westminster Abbey?<\/h3>\n
What does his job entail?<\/h3>\n
What roles did James O\u2019Donnell have before arriving at Westminster Abbey?<\/h3>\n
Where did James O\u2019Donnell do his training?<\/h3>\n
What else should I know about James O\u2019Donnell?<\/h3>\n