James O’Donnell

James Anthony O'Donnell (born 15 August 1961) is a British organist, choral conductor and academic teacher who has been a professor of organ at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in Connecticut, United States, since 2023.

He previously served as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey from 2000 to 2022, during which time he was responsible for the music at several royal and state functions, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 2002, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2022 and the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, also in 2022.

O'Donnell taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1997 to 2004 and was president of the Royal College of Organists from 2011 to 2013.