James Rae
James Rae was born on Tyneside in 1957. He studied clarinet, bass clarinet, piano and composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1975-79. His professors were Yona Ettlinger, Stephen Trier, Meriel Jefferson and Patric Standford respectively.
Since leaving the Guildhall, James Rae has pursued a highly successful and varied career in music. His work falls into three areas, performing, writing and teaching.
As a player, James Rae has worked in many West End and Royal National Theatre productions including Sir Peter Hall’s award winning ‘Oresteia’ with music by Sir Harrison Birtwistle. He has also received many freelance engagements with some of the country’s leading orchestras and ensembles. Projects have included the EMI album ‘Classic Ellington’ with Sir Simon Rattle and the C.B.S.O.
Saxophone Quartet playing has featured strongly in James Rae’s career. He is the leader of the Phoenix Saxophone Quartet who over the years have given many recitals and broadcasts. They have also recorded the complete works of Carey Blyton on two albums ‘The Return of Bulgy Gogo’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes meets Dr Who.
As a composer, James Rae is one of Europe’s most published writers of educational wind music, having over 200 publications to his credit. He is mainly published by Universal Edition but also has several publications with Faber Music, Reedimensions, Woodwind Plus, Queen’s Temple Publications, ABRSM and recently Trinity Guildhall. His music includes instrumental study books, tutors, transcriptions and volumes of duets. Many of his publications are to be found on all the major wind examination syllabuses. He as also written five full-length musicals in partnership with Mike Cornick.
One of his larger commissions was a major work for concert band called ‘The Turn of a Wheel’ which has received performances in many parts of the world since its premier in November 1999. This was written for the North Tyneside Concert Band of which he was a founder member as a boy with funds from the Arts Council of England via the National Lottery.
As a teacher, James Rae has held many posts in both the state and independent sector. He currently works at King’s College School Wimbledon and Shrewsbury House School in Surbiton. He is the director of the King’s College School Wind Orchestra, Concert Band and Wind Band and coaches three large jazz groups at Shrewsbury House. He has also adjudicated at many music festivals and competitions throughout the country.
James Rae has tutored and conducted on many courses over the years including the highly popular Northern Saxophone Course and Jazz Zone.
James Rae lives in Carshalton Beeches in Surrey with his wife Sue and two sons Andrew and Stephen. His interests are food, drink and anything at all to do with railways!
Student of Yona Ettlinger: 1975-1979
Since leaving the Guildhall, James Rae has pursued a highly successful and varied career in music. His work falls into three areas, performing, writing and teaching.
As a player, James Rae has worked in many West End and Royal National Theatre productions including Sir Peter Hall’s award winning ‘Oresteia’ with music by Sir Harrison Birtwistle. He has also received many freelance engagements with some of the country’s leading orchestras and ensembles. Projects have included the EMI album ‘Classic Ellington’ with Sir Simon Rattle and the C.B.S.O.
Saxophone Quartet playing has featured strongly in James Rae’s career. He is the leader of the Phoenix Saxophone Quartet who over the years have given many recitals and broadcasts. They have also recorded the complete works of Carey Blyton on two albums ‘The Return of Bulgy Gogo’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes meets Dr Who.
As a composer, James Rae is one of Europe’s most published writers of educational wind music, having over 200 publications to his credit. He is mainly published by Universal Edition but also has several publications with Faber Music, Reedimensions, Woodwind Plus, Queen’s Temple Publications, ABRSM and recently Trinity Guildhall. His music includes instrumental study books, tutors, transcriptions and volumes of duets. Many of his publications are to be found on all the major wind examination syllabuses. He as also written five full-length musicals in partnership with Mike Cornick.
One of his larger commissions was a major work for concert band called ‘The Turn of a Wheel’ which has received performances in many parts of the world since its premier in November 1999. This was written for the North Tyneside Concert Band of which he was a founder member as a boy with funds from the Arts Council of England via the National Lottery.
As a teacher, James Rae has held many posts in both the state and independent sector. He currently works at King’s College School Wimbledon and Shrewsbury House School in Surbiton. He is the director of the King’s College School Wind Orchestra, Concert Band and Wind Band and coaches three large jazz groups at Shrewsbury House. He has also adjudicated at many music festivals and competitions throughout the country.
James Rae has tutored and conducted on many courses over the years including the highly popular Northern Saxophone Course and Jazz Zone.
James Rae lives in Carshalton Beeches in Surrey with his wife Sue and two sons Andrew and Stephen. His interests are food, drink and anything at all to do with railways!
Student of Yona Ettlinger: 1975-1979