James O'Donnell

James Anthony O'Donnell (born 15 August 1961) is a British organist, choral conductor and academic teacher who has been a professor of organ at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in Connecticut, United States, since 2023.

He previously served as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey from 2000 to 2022, during which time he was responsible for the music at several royal and state functions, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 2002, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2022 and the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, also in 2022. At the abbey he was responsible for the daily choral services, functions for special occasions, concerts, broadcasts, recordings and tours. With the abbey choir he travelled throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia.

O'Donnell's final service at Westminster Abbey was on Christmas Day 2022, after which he took up a teaching role at Yale University in the United States while also holding the position of organist emeritus at the abbey. In 2023 he was also appointed artist-in-residence at Christ Church in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Teaching and other positions O'Donnell was professor of organ at the Royal Academy of Music from 1997 to 2004,