We’re thrilled to be hosting an online event with Sir James Galway reflecting on his wonderful career and life so far. This winter Sir James celebrated his 85th birthday, and in our latest issue of Pan journal, we marked this milestone with a pictorial look back at his extraordinary life.
In this event, Sir James Galway will chat with our president, Wissam Boustany, about his flute playing life, expanding on memories from the article as well as many other exciting topics. The chat will incorporate questions submitted by audience members - so if you’ve ever wanted to ask Sir James anything, this is your chance!
There will also be some beautiful musical performances from our talented 2024 Competitions winners.
The event is free and will take place on Zoom. To RSVP, please fill in this form, where you can also submit questions for Sir James. The meeting link will be shared closer to the time with all those that RSVP.
We look forward to seeing many of you there!
About Sir James Galway
This legend of the flute world needs little introduction; as a trailblazing artist, educator and ambassador of the flute, Sir James has inspired generations of musicians and touched the hearts of audiences worldwide with his unparalleled artistry.
With over 30 million recordings sold worldwide, extensive international touring, frequent television appearances, tireless promotion of the arts and his passionate work in music education, Galway has been a household name for decades.
His uniquely expressive interpretations of the flute literature span an extensive range of genres, from classical masterworks to high profile commissions, and provide the benchmark standard for all modern flautists. He has also collaborated on film soundtracks such as The Lord of the Rings, and partnered such popular artists as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and Sir Elton John. The diversity of Galway’s repertoire reflects his impressive musical range, and has served to establish him as an artist of the very highest stature.
A native of Northern Ireland, Galway studied at the Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Paris Conservatoire, before embarking on an orchestral career in London’s major opera and symphonic orchestras. In 1969 he took up the coveted position of solo flautist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Herbert von Karajan, before becoming one of the first flautists to establish an international solo career in 1975. He has a vast discography with 98 CDs to his name.
He has played for such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, President Clinton, President George W. Bush, President George H.W. Bush, President Mary McAleese, President Michael D. Higgins, Irish Prime Ministers Enda Kenny & Leo Varadkar, Prince Charles, The Empress of Japan and many more. He has shared the stage with an amazing array of entertainers including Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, John Denver, Elton John, The Chieftains, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Jessye Norman, Cleo Laine and Andrea Bocelli. He performed with Pink Floyd in their memorable concert at the Berlin Wall (1990), was part of the Nobel Peace concert in Norway (1990) and performed at the G7 summit hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace (1991).
Sir James has held teaching residencies at numerous leading educational venues across the world. When the global pandemic interrupted his busy touring schedule, Sir James and Lady Galway devoted much more of their time to furthering music education online, sharing their wisdom, experience and encouragement via the Galway Flute Academy, their educational platform.
Sir James continues commissioning new works for the flute, publishing articles, flute studies and books, including a new publishing collaboration with Southern Music. To celebrate his legacy and commitment to flute players all over the world, he has been honoured with the release of a series of specially commissioned flutes by Nagahara Flutes of Boston (James Galway Nagahara Flute Series) and Wm. S. Haynes Co (James Galway Q Series edition).
He also devotes much of his free time supporting charitable organizations such as SOS, Music Generation, Help Musicians UK, FARA, Future Talent, Youth Music (UK), The Caron Keating Foundation, Lorin Maazel’s Châteauxville Foundation & UNICEF.
Among the many honours and awards for his musical achievements are the Gramophone 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, the Grammy President’s Merit Award, Classic Brits Lifetime Achievement Award, The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and The National Concert Hall Dublin Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also recipient of numerous gold and platinum CDs. He has been honoured twice by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with The OBE in 1979 and again in 2001 with a Knighthood for his services to music. Most recently he has been awarded the honour of Commander of the Order of Arts & Letters, one of the main distinctions among the ministerial orders of the French Republic.
Sir James lives with his wife, Lady Jeanne, in Switzerland where he enjoys playing one of his many flutes that he has collected over the years.