James Judd

James Judd (born 30 October 1949, Hertfordshire) is a British conductor. He is a graduate of Trinity College of Music, London. Judd is Music Director of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, one of the leading musical organizations in Israel.

Judd was an assistant conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, and served as associate music director of the European Union Youth Orchestra Judd made his U.S. opera debut in 1988 conducting Don Giovanni for the Florida Grand Opera. Judd was the last full-time Music Director of the Florida Philharmonic, from 1987 to 2001. During his tenure, the orchestra suffered financial problems, and Judd served for 3 months as chairman of the board and donated a portion of his salary to assist the organisation. However, he was also criticised for expensive programming in his concerts.[1]


Judd served as music director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), the first NZSO conductor with that title, from 1999 to 2007. He conducted several recordings with the NZSO for the Naxos label,[2][3] and led the NZSO in its first-ever appearance at The Proms in August 2005.[4] Judd now holds the title of Music Director Emeritus of the NZSO.

In 2013 Judd was appointed Music Director of The Little Orchestra Society, a sixty six year old institution based in New York.

Judd is the Founding and current Artistic Director of Miami Music Project, a non profit organization which provides music education to children inspirated on El Sistema tested model. The Miami Music Project uses music as an instrument for social transformation, empowering children to acquire values and achieve their full potential, positively affecting their society through the study and performance of music.

Judd and his wife Valerie, a former member of the New World Symphony Orchestra,[1] have a daughter.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tim Smith (1998-02-01). "Raising Florida's Musical Pulse". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  2. ↑ Edward Greenfield (2004-04-09). "Elgar: Wand of Youth Suites nos 1 and 2; Nursery Suite; Dream Children: NZSO/Judd". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  3. ↑ Anthony Holden (2004-07-18). "Bridge, Orchestral Works". The Observer. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  4. ↑ George Hall (2005-08-20). "Prom 46: New Zealand Symphony/ Judd (Royal Albert Hall, London)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-03-04.

External links

Cultural offices
Preceded by
Emerson Buckley		 Music Director, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra
1987–2001 		Succeeded by
Joseph Silverstein (acting music director)
Preceded by
Franz-Paul Decker (chief conductor)		 Music Director, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
1999–2007 		Succeeded by
Pietari Inkinen