BIOGRAPHY
Credit: Erielle Bakkum Photography
James Kallembach’s work has been commissioned and performed by Chorus pro Musica, Lorelei Ensemble, Marsh Chapel, San Francisco Symphony (SoundBox series), Seraphic Fire, and acclaimed soprano Tamara Wilson, among others. He has received honors from ASCAP, ACDA, American Composers’ Forum, Pacific Chorale, ALEAIII in Boston, and VocalEssence.
James has written extensively for the voice, including a catalogue of dozens of individual choral works including St. John Passion, (Roven Records), Most Sacred Body (Loft Recordings/Gothic), and Antigone: The Writings of Sophie Scholl (New Focus Recordings) which was named an Opera News' 2022 Critics Choice.
His vast song catalogue includes Weightless Dreams, for soprano and piano, commissioned and premiered by Tamara Wilson, Anne Bradstreet Songs for soprano and cello, Songs on Letters of John and Abigail Adams for baritone, mezzo-soprano, and string quartet, and his cycle Four Romantic Songs ("New Voices", Roven Records), which was praised for its "Straussian sweep". (Opera News).
As conductor, James has conducted canonic literature of all periods, including all the major oratorios of J.S. Bach, as well as many new works and works outside the traditional canon. A tireless advocate of contemporary composers, James has conducted the premiere of works by William Bolcom, Marta Ptaszynska, Sven-David Sandström, Robert Moran, Shulamit Ran, Robert Kyr, and James MacMillan among many others, including emerging composers. His interpretation of new music has been heralded as “rich and polished” (Chicago Classical Review) and his interpretation of Bach “stylish and intimate” (Chicago Tribune). Highlights in addition to his conducting activities include serving as artistic director for the Sounds of Faith documentary concert aired on Chicago PBS, lecturing at the Oregon Bach Festival and conducting new works at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers’ Symposium, and articles for Opera News and Choral Journal. James serves as Senior Lecturer in Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Chicago, where he conducts the Motet Choir, and, as Director of Chapel Music, conducts the Chapel Choir at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, alongside teaching Renaissance counterpoint and other classes. He lives near Chicago with his wife soprano Elisabeth Marshall, son Otto, and spunky Shih Tzu, Rawnald Gregory Erickson II.
James has written extensively for the voice, including a catalogue of dozens of individual choral works including St. John Passion, (Roven Records), Most Sacred Body (Loft Recordings/Gothic), and Antigone: The Writings of Sophie Scholl (New Focus Recordings) which was named an Opera News' 2022 Critics Choice.
His vast song catalogue includes Weightless Dreams, for soprano and piano, commissioned and premiered by Tamara Wilson, Anne Bradstreet Songs for soprano and cello, Songs on Letters of John and Abigail Adams for baritone, mezzo-soprano, and string quartet, and his cycle Four Romantic Songs ("New Voices", Roven Records), which was praised for its "Straussian sweep". (Opera News).
As conductor, James has conducted canonic literature of all periods, including all the major oratorios of J.S. Bach, as well as many new works and works outside the traditional canon. A tireless advocate of contemporary composers, James has conducted the premiere of works by William Bolcom, Marta Ptaszynska, Sven-David Sandström, Robert Moran, Shulamit Ran, Robert Kyr, and James MacMillan among many others, including emerging composers. His interpretation of new music has been heralded as “rich and polished” (Chicago Classical Review) and his interpretation of Bach “stylish and intimate” (Chicago Tribune). Highlights in addition to his conducting activities include serving as artistic director for the Sounds of Faith documentary concert aired on Chicago PBS, lecturing at the Oregon Bach Festival and conducting new works at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers’ Symposium, and articles for Opera News and Choral Journal. James serves as Senior Lecturer in Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Chicago, where he conducts the Motet Choir, and, as Director of Chapel Music, conducts the Chapel Choir at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, alongside teaching Renaissance counterpoint and other classes. He lives near Chicago with his wife soprano Elisabeth Marshall, son Otto, and spunky Shih Tzu, Rawnald Gregory Erickson II.