James is a seasoned oratorio singer. He has performed as soloist in Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall, the Usher Hall and the Cadogan Hall. He has sung with choral societies in the Shetland Islands, the Isle of Mann, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Isles. He has appeared at the Aldeburgh Festival, the Three Choirs Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. James regularly works with Capella Cracoviensis in Poland, performing many of the great Handel oratorio tenor roles. 

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Some of the choirs and orchestras that James has worked with as a soloist include; Philharmonia Orchestra, BBCSSO, BBCNOW, Academy of Ancient Music, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, London Handel Players, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Gloucester Choral Society, Bristol Choral Society, Hexham Festival Chorus, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, Bishopwearmouth Choral Society, Newcastle Bach Choir, Eastbourne Choral Society, Aberystwyth Choral Society, Ryton Choral Society, Rochester Choral Society, Nottingham Harmonic Choir.