James Rae was born on Tyneside in 1957. He studied clarinet, bass clarinet, piano and composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1975-79. His professors were Yona Ettlinger, Stephen Trier, Meriel Jefferson and Patric Standford respectively.Since leaving the Guildhall, James Rae has pursued a highly successful and varied career in music. His work falls into three areas: performing, writing and teaching.As a player, James Rae has worked in many West End and Royal National Theatre productions including Sir Peter Hall’s award winning Oresteia with music by Sir Harrison Birtwistle. He has also received many freelance engagements with some of the country’s leading orchestras and ensembles. Projects have included the EMI album Classic Ellington with Sir Simon Rattle and the C.B.S.O.

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