Our Music Director
James Stobart
James Stobart is a conductor of wide experience and versatility with an international reputation. Not only has he worked with professional orchestras such as the Philharmonia, London Symphony, BBC Concert, Guildford Philharmonic, American Symphony and Atlantic Symphony and conducted music for films and television, but also he has devoted much time to training young musicians, for instance at the Guildhall School of Music, Royal Academy of Music and the Birmingham Conservatoire. James Stobart's recordings with the Locke Brass Consort and London Collegiate Brass have consistently won the highest praise around the world - his recording of the complete works for brass of Richard Strauss, with the Locke Brass Consort, is still a best-seller after many years. A few years ago, he chose to enjoy a more leisurely approach to life and moved to his cottage in South Lincolnshire bordering the Wash, where he could better indulge a wealth of hobbies including botany, computing and mushroom identification and collecting.
In 1994, James Stobart conducted two concerts with the NSO and his ability to teach, motivate and encourage, coupled with his understanding of the players' needs, meant that he was immediately asked to become Musical Director. Since then he has guided the orchestra towards its current success, taking a personal interest in all its workings and offering help and advice where necessary. James Stobart's contribution to the development of the NSO has been considerable. However, he is keen to point out that neither his achievements nor those of the NSO would have been possible without the support, insight and dedication of his wife, Judy.