[Portland, ME] St Mary Schola has named acclaimed conductor, composer, and keyboardist James Kennerley as its secondArtistic Director, leading one of Maine’s premier performing arts organizations into its next chapter of musical excellence. Kennerley will continue to build upon the choral and instrumental ensemble’s reputation of delivering uniquely rewarding, engaging, and emotionally moving concert experiences when he begins his role in the 2024-25 Season. As conductor of the 2023 & 2024 Blue Hill Bach festivals, amember of Sonnambula early music ensemble, and past performer at Bachfest Leipzig, Carmel Bach Festival, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall, Kennerley has established himself as one of the country’s leading champions of Early Music and hasparticipated in multiple Grammy Award-nominated recordings.
“Two years ago, St Mary Schola embarked on an extensive search focusing on the top talent in the Early Music world,” saidRoss Crolius, Chair of the St Mary Schola Board of Directors. “We are incredibly impressed by James’ musicality, knowledge,and passion. He inspires the musicians and engages audiences. James is a joy to watch and to know. His warm inviting spirit is apparent to all who attend his concerts – he draws you in to the music making.”
“Working with St Mary Schola is inspiring, allowing me to work collaboratively with some of the most skilled and passionate musicians in Maine to craft moving performances that will leave a lasting impact on our audiences,” said Kennerley. “I look forward to sharing my passion for Early Music, and I hope to greatly expand our reach through innovative programming and impactful community outreach. I am also keen to expand the repertoire of St Mary Schola to include music from the Medieval right through to the Classical and early Romantic periods, as well as contemporary music inspired by earlier repertoire. There is something about historically-informed music—repertoire performed using techniques and instruments of the period—that is utterly inspirational, immediate, and transformative. I am determined to bring more of this wonderful music to our Maine audiences.”
Kennerley made his debut with the St Mary Schola chorus and orchestra in June 2024, leading two performances of the program “1685: an auspicious year” featuring works by Scarlatti, Handel, and Bach. The audiences were flabbergasted by the energy and drama that Kennerley brought to Handel’s Dixit Dominus, the intricacy and virtuosity of Bach’s First Orchestral Suite, and the suave exuberance of Scarlatti’s Salve Regina. Kennerley led the concert while also playing the keyboard continuo, in the same way that Bach and Handel would have done.
“From James’ first performances with St Mary Schola it was clear that his approach to music-making aligns powerfully with the mission of St Mary Schola,” said principal violinist & oboist Michael Alpert. “James really understands how to connect with diverse audiences through the medium of music, whether it be written in the 12th century or the 18th.”
Born and raised in the UK, James combines his international career as performer, composer, and educator with the position ofMunicipal Organist of Portland, Maine, and Minister of Music at the historic Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church in Falmouth, Maine. Educated at Cambridge University and the Juilliard School, he was an organist at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, before moving to the USA in 2006. He subsequently served as Music Director of prominent churches in Connecticut, New York City, and at St Paul’s Choir School in Cambridge. A recognized specialist in the realm of early music, Mr. Kennerley has collaborated with William Christie, Richard Egarr, Nicholas McGegan, Christopher Hogwood, Monica Huggett, Julian Wachner, the Tallis Scholars, and the Norwegian Soloist’s Choir, among others.
About St Mary Schola
St Mary Schola was founded in 2008 by The Reverend James Dalton-Thompson and Bruce Fithian with the goal to provide the finest in early music literature to New England audiences. Based at the Episcopal Church of Saint Mary in Falmouth, Maine, the ensemble presents three concert programs a year. The Schola features some of Maine’s finest singers and instrumentalists who explore the great masterworks of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras, especially the music of Monteverdi, Schütz, and Bach.
The 2024-25 Season
Christmas by Candlelight
Saturday, December 14th@ 4pm., Woodfords Congregational Church, Portland
Sunday, December 15th @4pm., St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Falmouth
Rejoicing & Mourning: Music of J.S. Bach & Heinrich Schutz
Saturday, March 29th @ 4pm., St. Francis Episcopal Church, Blue Hill
Sunday, March 30th @ 4pm., St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Falmouth
Orpheus Britannicus: Music of Henry Purcell
Saturday, May 17th @ 4pm., First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday, May 18th @ 4pm., St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Falmouth
Tickets may be purchased by visiting the website,stmaryschola.org.
