James Turnbull

MA (Oxon), PGDipRAM, LRAM

Oboe teacher

Described by The Independent as “a worthy champion” of contemporary oboe music, James has dedicated much of his performing life to promoting and expanding the oboe repertoire. He has performed extensively throughout the UK and Europe, including solo recitals at Wigmore Hall and live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. His solo recordings have been released by Toccata Classics, Champs Hill Records, Quartz Music, and ABRSM, and he also features on a disc of Thea Musgrave’s works for Harmonia Mundi USA. Gramophone Magazine described his debut recital disc, Fierce Tears, as a “notable debut”, and it was selected as the Editor’s Choice Recording by Classical Music Magazine.

James is deeply committed to developing the oboe repertoire. He has collaborated closely with composers including Michael Berkeley, John Casken, Jonathan Dove, John Woolrich, Thea Musgrave, and Tansy Davies on their works for oboe. In 2015, he launched the New Oboe Music Project (NewOboeMusic.org), which promotes 21st-century oboe repertoire worldwide. As part of this initiative, James has curated a special collection of previously unpublished oboe works in partnership with Composers Edition.

Beyond performance, James is passionate about broadening the appeal of the oboe and inspiring young people to learn the instrument. To support this mission, he launched LearnToPlayTheOboe.com and actively promotes all double reed instruments in his role as Chair of the British Double Reed Society. He teaches at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, the Purcell School for Young Musicians, and several schools across South East England. Most recently, James joined the professorial staff at Trinity Laban. In recognition of his contributions to music education, he was awarded the inaugural Patricia Prindl Prize by the Musicians’ Company in 2016.

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Faculties / departments: Junior Department