James Maltby – clarinet

James is a first year postgraduate student at the Royal College of Music, studying clarinet with Timothy Lines, Robert Hill, Michael Collins and Michael Harris (Bass Clarinet).  His studies are generously supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the EMI Music Sound Foundation and an RCM Scholarship.

Recent achievements include reaching the finals of the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Competition (Feb 2012), being awarded the Stephen Trier award for Bass Clarinet (2011) and performing Finzi’s Clarinet Concerto at St. James’ Church, Piccadilly (June 2011).  James has recently returned from the prestigious Castleton Festival in America, where he spent five weeks performing orchestral and operatic repertoire under the baton of Lorin Maazel.

After a close friend was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2009, James co-founded the CLIC Sargent Symphony Orchestra to raise money and awareness for CLIC Sargent, Britain’s leading children cancer charity.  He is the principal clarinettist and artistic director of the orchestra.

James is currently (Autumn 2012) on trial with Opera North for the position of second clarinet.