James Moriarty is a London-based composer whose work moves between the simple and the sublime, the communal and the intimate, the symphony and the schoolyard. His wide-ranging output engages with a variety of musical traditions, all the while balancing a love of precision with a fondness for the enigmatic. Working with organisations such as the London Symphony Orchestra and Spitalfields Music he creates musical works that respond to the diversity of modern life and that have been performed at venues such as Cadogan Hall, LSO St Luke’s, and The Forge. In 2015 James was awarded the Eric Coates composition prize for ‘Windows’, a piece commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and premiered at the Barbican with the orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding. He is further involved with the LSO through his involvement in the orchestra’s pioneering ‘Soundhub’ scheme for young composers.

James’ studies in composition took place at the Royal Academy of Music with Philip Cashian. During his time at the Academy he was fortunate enough to receive the Regency Award, Pullen Memorial Prize, Charles W Black Fellowship, and Howard Hartog Scholarship. His relationship with the Royal Academy of Music continued through a fellowship with the Academy’s creative learning and participation department ‘Open Academy’. This fellowship contributed significantly to James’ active career in musical engagement, a career that encompasses everything from creating musical theatre pieces with primary school children to assisting in free improvisation workshops for people with special educational needs and disabilities.