James Waters has been Creative Director for Classical Music for Perth Theatre and Concert Hall (formerly Horsecross Arts) since 2009. In that period, he has brought many world-leading artists to Perth including Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti and Miloš Karadaglić as well as hosting visits by the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Hallé and Bach Collegium Japan to name but a few. The Hall has premiered several works by James MacMillan and has developed a particularly close relationship with BBC Radio 3.
James was Associate Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival from 1992 to 2006 working with Brian McMaster and responsible for delivering the festival programme across all artforms. Prior to that he was Concerts Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He is also Director of the Lammermuir Festival and classical programmer at the Bath Festival.
James was a Choral Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge where he studied Modern Languages and Music. He subsequently undertook the Opera Course at the then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. James enjoys cricket, sailing, history, hillwalking and dogs – whilst tuning into his vast classical music playlist.