James Warburton is a freelance violinist and violist based in
Manchester and has performed with many of the region's leading
professional orchestras.
Having recently completed his
undergraduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music with
First Class Honours, James now enjoys a varied career of chamber
music, solo playing, professional orchestral playing and teaching
violin, viola, piano and music theory.
Biography
James Warburton is a 22-year-old freelance violinist based in
the North West of England. He recently graduated the Royal
Northern College of Music in Manchester with first-class honours
and was taught there by Julia Hanson.
Hailing from
Bolton, James started playing the violin at age 7 and progressed
through the local music service orchestras, before progressing
to Junior RNCM, where he was taught by Steve Wilkie for four
years, and the Hallé Youth Orchestra. More recently, James has
led notable RNCM projects including their production of Le Nozze
di Figaro and their end-of-year Symphony Orchestra concert at
Bridgewater Hall.
Currently, James freelances with
various orchestras in the North West, including the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic, as well
as frequent events around the region with his string quartet,
the Franco-Méndes Quartet, and other groups.
In his
free time, James enjoys gaming, and is currently learning web
development (including coding his own website from scratch!).
James
is very fortunate to play a 1772 Joseph Hill violin, generously
loaned to him by the Tompkins Tate Musical Instrument Trust.
Ensembles
Franco-Mendès Quartet
The Franco-Mendès Quartet was formed in the autumn of 2019 by
four students at the Royal Northern College of Music; Dylan
Latham, James Warburton, Ammal Bhatia and Stefan Rogers.
Despite
the soon-to-emerge COVID-19 pandemic, they have been fortunate
enough to study with many of the UK's top chamber musicians and
ensembles, such as the Chilingirian Quartet, Elias Quartet and
Piatti Quartet. They have also had the pleasure of receiving
tutelage from a range of international artists, including Louis
Rodde, Paloma Koudier and Henk Guittart.
In 2021, the
quartet were invited to attend the Chilingirian Quartet's summer
course at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, imbursed
generously by their patrons. The quartet also give annual
concerts at Enys Gardens in Cornwall as their Quartet in
Residence.
The Franco-Mendès Quartet are available to
perform in weddings and events, and boast a repertoire ranging
from classical to popular with the opportunity to request your
own song choices.
