Staff profile

James Weeks is a composer, conductor, artistic director and teacher, based in the North of England.

His music typically explores pared-down musical materials, microtonality and Just Intonation, ideas of duration and temporality, embodiment, and plain-speaking. Often working with text and with found materials, particularly early music, he has an ongoing preoccupation with the music and aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance, which he also explores with his vocal ensemble EXAUDI. He has made a lot of work for open instrumentations, spatialised performances and performance installations, and his most recent music has focused increasingly on a deeply embodied relationship with the natural world, including the ongoing project Composing Ecology (2025-present).

His music has been performed and broadcast worldwide, and seven portrait discs of his work have been released to date: Book of Flames and Shadows (Winter&Winter, 2022), Summer (Another Timbre, 2021), windfell (Another Timbre, 2019), Mala punica (Winter&Winter, 2017), Signs of Occupation (Métier 2016), mural (confront 2015) and TIDE (Métier 2013). His work also appears on the Wandelweiser, HCR, NMC and New Focus labels. Most recently, a collaboration with Simon Reynell and Another Timbre, G O M B E R T, was released to critical acclaim in 2025.

Collaborators and other performers of his work have included Quatuor Bozzini, GBSR Duo, EXAUDI, Explore Ensemble, Ekmeles, Ives Ensemble, Plus-Minus, Distractfold, An Assembly, London Sinfonietta, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC SSO, Talea, Saviet/Houston Duo, CoMA, Mira Benjamin, Lucy Goddard, Apartment House and Anton Lukoszevieze. His music is published by University of York Music Press. Awards include a British Composer Award (2018) for Libro di fiammelle e ombre, written for EXAUDI, and an Ivors Composer Award (2019) for Leafleoht, written for Quatuor Bozzini.

In 2002 he founded EXAUDI with soprano Juliet Fraser, now regarded as one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles for new music. As well as maintaining a busy international touring and recording schedule with EXAUDI, he works regularly as a guest conductor, working with instrumental ensembles and orchestras such as Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Singers, London Sinfonietta, musikFabrik, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and L’Instant Donné. He has also worked extensively with amateur musicians, both at CoMA (Contemporary Music for All), and in early music fora and summer schools around the UK. Since 2025 he has focused this work on the project Composing Ecology, which aims to connect people more deeply to the natural world through sound.

As a writer on new music he has published articles on Cassandra Miller and Christopher Fox, a pair of chapters on Michael Finnissy in the Routledge Critical Perspectives volume (2019), and a chapter on his own work in The Bloomsbury Handbook of Music and Art (2023). He also compiled and edited the CoMA Partsong Book, a volume of new experimental music for small vocal groups, published in March 2018.

He studied composition with Michael Finnissy, first privately and then - after an undergraduate degree in Music at Cambridge (2000) - as a postgraduate at the University of Southampton, where he was awarded his PhD in 2005.

He was Associate Head of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London from 2012-17, and took up his present position at Durham in October 2017, where he is currently an Associate Professor in Composition.

www.jamesweeks.org

• Composition
• Contemporary music performance
• Contemporary vocal music
• Experimental music
• Microtonality
• New music aesthetics

Chapter in book

• Landscape/Music
  
  Weeks, J. (2023). Landscape/Music. In S. Mahler Kraaz & C. de Mille (Eds.), The Bloomsbury Handbook of Music and Art (pp. 293-299). Bloomsbury.
• Finnissy's Voices
  
  Weeks, J. (2019). Finnissy’s Voices. In I. Pace & N. McBride (Eds.), Critical perspectives on Michael Finnissy : bright futures, dark pasts. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351031547

Composition

• Siciliano (2003) for solo piano
  
  Weeks, J. (in press). Siciliano (2003) for solo piano [Composition].
• Stacking, Weaving, Building, Joining (2007) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 6)
  
  Weeks, J. (in press). Stacking, Weaving, Building, Joining (2007) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 6) [Composition].
• Siro's Garden
  
  Weeks, J. (in press). Siro’s Garden [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• Primo Libro
  
  Weeks, J. (2024). Primo Libro [Composition]. University of York Music Press.
• Summer
  
  Weeks, J. (2022). Summer [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• Still here (2020) for violin and piano
  
  Weeks, J. (2022). Still here (2020) for violin and piano [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• Düsseldorf
  
  Weeks, J. (2022). Düsseldorf [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• Weligwic (2019) for orchestra
  
  Weeks, J. (2020). Weligwic (2019) for orchestra [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• violute (2018) for viola and bass flute
  
  Weeks, J. (2019). violute (2018) for viola and bass flute [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• ærc quartets (2016/18) for any four bowed string instruments
  
  Weeks, J. (2019). ærc quartets (2016/18) for any four bowed string instruments [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• windfell (2017) for solo violin
  
  Weeks, J. (2019). windfell (2017) for solo violin [Composition].
• violet
  
  Weeks, J. (2018). violet [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• ærc duos
  
  Weeks, J. (2018). ærc duos [Score]. University of York Music Press.
• Venetian Sky
  
  Weeks, J. (2018). Venetian Sky [Composition].
• Primo Libro (2012-16) for six solo voices
  
  Weeks, J. (2017). Primo Libro (2012-16) for six solo voices [Composition].
• Libro di fiammelle e ombre (2017/18) for six solo voices
  
  Weeks, J. (2017). Libro di fiammelle e ombre (2017/18) for six solo voices [Composition].
• Inscription (2011/12) for four voices and string quartet
  
  Weeks, J. (2017). Inscription (2011/12) for four voices and string quartet [Composition].
• Ave maris stella (2003/17) for mixed or upper voices, violin and organ
  
  Weeks, J. (2017). Ave maris stella (2003/17) for mixed or upper voices, violin and organ [Composition].
• Meadow (2016) for a large number of performers, singing or/and playing
  
  Weeks, J. (2017). Meadow (2016) for a large number of performers, singing or/and playing [Composition].
• Bee Haven (2017) for large group of strings
  
  Weeks, J. (2017). Bee Haven (2017) for large group of strings [Composition].
• ærc (2016) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 12)
  
  Weeks, J. (2016). ærc (2016) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 12) [Composition].
• common ground (2013-14) for string trio
  
  Weeks, J. (2016). common ground (2013-14) for string trio [Composition].
• Joy (2016) for 2 violins and percussion
  
  Weeks, J. (2016). Joy (2016) for 2 violins and percussion [Composition].
• Signs of Occupation (2014) for clarinet and speaking voice
  
  Weeks, J. (2016). Signs of Occupation (2014) for clarinet and speaking voice [Composition].
• Walled Garden (2015) for 2 alto flutes, bass flute, string trio
  
  Weeks, J. (2015). Walled Garden (2015) for 2 alto flutes, bass flute, string trio [Composition].
• Cornish String Music (2015) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 16)
  
  Weeks, J. (2015). Cornish String Music (2015) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 16) [Composition].
• Softest Numbers (2014) - for violin and piano
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Softest Numbers (2014) - for violin and piano [Composition].
• Schilderkonst (2003-4) for ensemble
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Schilderkonst (2003-4) for ensemble [Composition].
• Matsushima (2005) for 1-4 pianos
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Matsushima (2005) for 1-4 pianos [Composition].
• Looping Busker Music (2013) for violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar and tape
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Looping Busker Music (2013) for violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar and tape [Composition].
• Sacred Muses (2005)
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Sacred Muses (2005) [Composition].
• A tear (2014) for mixed-voice choir and organ
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). A tear (2014) for mixed-voice choir and organ [Composition].
• New Day (2006) for solo piano and ensemble
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). New Day (2006) for solo piano and ensemble [Composition].
• The Nunhead Harmony (2009) for clarinet, violin, viola, double bass
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). The Nunhead Harmony (2009) for clarinet, violin, viola, double bass [Composition].
• Radical Road (2014) for 30 or more singers with stones
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Radical Road (2014) for 30 or more singers with stones [Composition].
• Olympic Frieze (2014) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 12)
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Olympic Frieze (2014) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 12) [Composition].
• The Catford Harmony (2008/14) for oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, cello, piano
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). The Catford Harmony (2008/14) for oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, cello, piano [Composition].
• Come Away (2008) for soprano, violin, cello, piano
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Come Away (2008) for soprano, violin, cello, piano [Composition].
• Digger (2010) for solo guitar
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Digger (2010) for solo guitar [Composition].
• mural (2012-13) for one or more vocal quartets
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). mural (2012-13) for one or more vocal quartets [Composition].
• Two Perscriptions (2002-4) for solo piano
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Two Perscriptions (2002-4) for solo piano [Composition].
• The World in tune (2013) for solo soprano
  
  Weeks, J. (2013). The World in tune (2013) for solo soprano [Composition].
• Three Trios (2010-11) for piano trio and tape
  
  Weeks, J. (2013). Three Trios (2010-11) for piano trio and tape [Composition].
• Orlando Tenebrae (2010) for SATB choir
  
  Weeks, J. (2013). Orlando Tenebrae (2010) for SATB choir [Composition].
• Sky (2010) for clarinet and electronics
  
  Weeks, J. (2013). Sky (2010) for clarinet and electronics [Composition].
• Freehand Etude (2012) for three performers
  
  Weeks, J. (2013). Freehand Etude (2012) for three performers [Composition].
• Narrow Path (2012) for solo flute
  
  Weeks, J. (2013). Narrow Path (2012) for solo flute [Composition].
• Mala punica (2008-9) for 8 solo voices
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Mala punica (2008-9) for 8 solo voices [Composition].
• Glossa (2010) for ATB choir
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Glossa (2010) for ATB choir [Composition].
• Burnham Air (2008-9) for oboe d'amore
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Burnham Air (2008-9) for oboe d’amore [Composition].
• Tide (2007) for solo cello with BACH bow
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Tide (2007) for solo cello with BACH bow [Composition].
• Honey Celebration (2005) for piano trio
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Honey Celebration (2005) for piano trio [Composition].
• Nakedness (2012) for solo soprano
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Nakedness (2012) for solo soprano [Composition].
• Complainte (2007) for solo soprano
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). Complainte (2007) for solo soprano [Composition].
• The Freedom of the Earth (2011) for chorus and ensemble
  
  Weeks, J. (2012). The Freedom of the Earth (2011) for chorus and ensemble [Composition].

Edited book

• partsongs
  
  Weeks, J. (Ed.). (2018). partsongs. CoMA.

Journal Article

• Along the Grain: the music of Cassandra Miller
  
  Weeks, J. (2014). Along the Grain: the music of Cassandra Miller. Tempo, 68(269), 50-64. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0040298214000060
• More heat, more light: Christopher Fox in conversation
  
  Weeks, J. (2006). More heat, more light: Christopher Fox in conversation. Tempo, 60(236), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0040298206000106

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

• Chromatic Renaissance
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble. (2025). Chromatic Renaissance [CD and digital download].
• Jürg Frey: VOICES
  
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble, & Frey, J. (2025). Jürg Frey: VOICES [CD and digital download].
• media vita
  
  Weeks, J., & Apartment House Ensemble. (2025). media vita [CD and digital download].
• Primo Libro
  
  Weeks, J., & Ekmeles Ensemble. (2024). Primo Libro [CD and digital download].
• Christopher Fox: Trostlieder
  
  Weeks, J., Fox, C., & EXAUDI. (2023). Christopher Fox: Trostlieder [CD].
• Book of Flames and Shadows
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2022). Book of Flames and Shadows [CD].
• James Weeks: Summer
  
  Weeks, J., & Explore Ensemble. (2021). James Weeks: Summer [CD].
• Brian Ferneyhough: La terre est un homme and other works
  
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, recherche, ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, B., & Brabbins, M. (2018). Brian Ferneyhough: La terre est un homme and other works [CD].
• Michael Finnissy: Vocal Works 1974-2015
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2018). Michael Finnissy: Vocal Works 1974-2015 [CD].
• James Weeks: Mala punica
  
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & Ensemble, H. (2017). James Weeks: Mala punica [CD].
• Laurence Crane: Pieces About Art
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2017). Laurence Crane: Pieces About Art [Audio download].
• James Weeks: mural
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2016). James Weeks: mural [CD].
• James Weeks: Signs of Occupation
  
  Weeks, J., & Ensemble, P. (2016). James Weeks: Signs of Occupation [CD].
• Passion Texts: vocal music by Rihm and Nono
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2014). Passion Texts: vocal music by Rihm and Nono [CD].
• James Weeks: TIDE
  
  Weeks, J., & House, A. (2013). James Weeks: TIDE [CD].
• EXPOSURE: works by Cassidy, Harrison, Glover, Bailie, Weeks, Chase, Molitor
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2013). EXPOSURE: works by Cassidy, Harrison, Glover, Bailie, Weeks, Chase, Molitor [CD].
• Stefano Gervasoni: Dir - In Dir
  
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & Donné, L. (2013). Stefano Gervasoni: Dir - In Dir [CD].
• Aaron Cassidy: A Painter of Figures in Rooms
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2012). Aaron Cassidy: A Painter of Figures in Rooms [Audio download].
• Howard Skempton: Bolt from the Blue
  
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & Becker, D. (2010). Howard Skempton: Bolt from the Blue [CD].
• Christopher Fox: Catalogue Irraisoné
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2009). Christopher Fox: Catalogue Irraisoné [CD].
• Howard Skempton: Ben Somewhen
  
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & BCMG. (2007). Howard Skempton: Ben Somewhen [CD].
• Elizabeth Lutyens: Choral and chamber works
  
  Weeks, J. (2006). Elizabeth Lutyens: Choral and chamber works [CD].
• Michael Finnissy: Maldon and other choral works
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2005). Michael Finnissy: Maldon and other choral works [CD].
• Christopher Fox: A Glimpse of Sion's Glory
  
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2005). Christopher Fox: A Glimpse of Sion’s Glory [CD].