NYCOS has appointed James Waters as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees.
James is Director of the Lammermuir Festival, Creative Director for Classical Music at Perth Concert Hall and classical programmer at the Bath Festival. He was Associate Director of the Edinburgh International Festival for fourteen years working with Brian McMaster where he was responsible for delivering the festival programme including world-leading artists and companies.
He was a Choral Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge where he studied Modern Languages and Music, and subsequently undertook the Opera Course at the then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
He has a long association with NYCOS, having been a member of the inaugural board as well as rejoining the board between 2013 and 2019. This chimes with his close interest in the development of choral singing in Scotland.
Artistic Director Christopher Bell says, “I’m delighted that James has agreed to bring his considerable expertise to our organisation. His knowledge of the arts sector, coupled with his passion for singing and his long-time enthusiasm for the work of NYCOS gives us the strong support we need for our 25th Anniversary year and beyond. James and I were part of the working group in 1995 that met to discuss the possible formation of NYCOS. As our new Chair, he follows Joanna Baker (whom he helped to recruit) whose particular strengths in governance and financial processes have benefited us greatly over the last seven years, and Raymond Williamson who for the first fifteen years of NYCOS life guided with great wisdom and care. Their help has been invaluable.”
Chief Executive Edward Milner says, “On behalf of the staff at NYCOS I would like to welcome James Waters as our new Chair. As a long-term and close supporter of NYCOS, James is passionate about encouraging young people’s music and singing and brings his own huge experience in developing high-quality music projects and performances. We’re hugely thankful to Joanna Baker for her many years as Chair and are excited about developing NYCOS further in the years to come with James.”
On being appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees James Waters says, “I am thrilled to be joining NYCOS as chair. It is an extraordinary organisation with work ranging from grass-roots music education to choral performances of the highest international standard. Christopher’s artistic leadership is truly visionary and I am delighted to have the opportunity to support him, Ed and the team as NYCOS enters its 25th year.”
