A New Director of Music for Magdalene

After six happy and fruitful years we are very sad to be saying farewell to Graham Walker who has been appointed Director of Music at Emmanuel College. We wish him every success in this new venture and will miss him.

It is wonderful to announce, however, that the College is delighted that James Potter has been appointed our new Director of Music and Precentor. James will be taking the helm from September, ready to welcome students at the start of the year.

James comes to Cambridge with many years of varied experience in Oxford and London as conductor and choral director. We will endeavour to show him the very best of Cambridge welcomes.

James said:

'It's an honour to be appointed as Director of Music at Magdalene. Everyone I've met at the College has impressed me with their friendliness, enthusiasm, and commitment to music as part of College life. I'm hugely excited to develop new projects and to explore ways music can serve the College community, and I can't wait to begin working with the choir, organ scholars, and everyone at Magdalene.'

Having read Music at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford, James went on to study conducting with Paul Brough. He holds diplomas in organ and choral direction from the Royal College of Organists, the latter as the winner of the John Brook (IAO) Memorial Prize. While in Oxford, he held positions at Christ Church Cathedral, Hertford College and Pusey House. Other positions have included Music Director of Wokingham Choral Society, Jubilate Chamber Choir, & St Mary's Church, Battersea. He is a keen proponent of new and under-explored music and, as a writer, he regularly contributes programme notes and essays to publications, festivals, and ensembles including The Tallis Scholars. You can read more about James at www.jamesmpotter.com.

Music has been at the heart of the College’s life for a long time but we noticed this especially when we were re-establishing after the pandemic. Whether it has been through the Jazz Band, recitals, more informal singing on the Beach, our special Lincoln Awards, or of course the regular Choir and Organ in Chapel, an increasingly wide range of students have discovered a new or deeper love of music and music-making in Magdalene. It’s a really exciting time for the College.

We are all – staff, students and Fellows – really looking forward to working with James, as building on Graham’s work, he encourages the sort of joy and flourishing that music brings!