James Burton has been appointed as the next Artistic Director of Ex Cathedra ahead of Jeffrey Skidmore retiring next autumn after 57 years.
James, who will join Ex Cathedra in Spring 2026 as Artistic Director Designate, is an internationally renowned conductor, composer and passionate advocate of singing.
He has conducted leading British and international choirs and orchestras, including the BBC Singers, Tenebrae, OAE, Handel and Haydn Society, Ulster Orchestra, the Hallé, Aalborg Symphony and Mexico’s National Symphony Orchestra.
Recently he has spent eight seasons as Choral Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and four years as Director of Orchestral Activities at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts.
The 2026-27 season will be Jeffrey Skidmore’s 57th and final season as Artistic Director and Conductor, after which he will become Founder and Conductor Emeritus.
Ex Cathedra will celebrate his extraordinary legacy with a series of concerts highlighting the repertoire for which the choir has become internationally renowned, which began with a French Baroque programme in mid February 2026 coinciding with his 75th birthday.
James said: “Ex Cathedra represents so much that I feel passionate about as a musician: not only its striving for excellence, but also the way it cultivates the power of singing to inspire people across its community, and I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the musicians, staff, and trustees over the last few months.
“The group has forged a unique role within the UK’s exciting choral ecosystem, and I am looking forward to leading Ex Cathedra into its next chapter, and building on the incredible legacy which Jeffrey has given us. Next season, I look forward to making music with the group, developing plans to excite our future audiences, and I will join everyone in celebrating Jeffrey’s outstanding contribution.”
Jeffrey Skidmore, Founder and current Artistic Director of Ex Cathedra, said: “I am absolutely delighted with this appointment. James is an eloquent and persuasive musician with a bold and adventurousapproach to repertoire and music-making. His strength of personality combined with his high-level choral, orchestral and educational experience, demonstrate to me a clear potential to relish the challenges facing the arts in the 21st century. I look forward to working closely with him over the next year or so to ensure a smooth transition and guarantee a secure and flourishing new era for Ex Cathedra.“
Find out more on the Ex Cathedra website