SRI LANKA

 In 2000 James Ross was invited by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka to judge its biannual concerto competition together with pianist and Juilliard professor Rohan de Silva.  After judging the Competition, he coached numerous competitors and returned in 2001 to guest conduct the Orchestra. Since then he has visited regularly to conduct SOSL, and has advised on planning and artistic development. He takes a long-term interest in the Country, its musicians and its cultural development, and has experienced directly the resilience, ambition and determination of its orchestra members and up and coming musicians to improve and expand their knowledge and skill, including in 2026 working with the Orchestra of the Gustav Mahler Society of Sri Lanka.

In 2013, he conducted the first orchestral concert at Colombo's Nelum Pokuna Theatre, at The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, with music by Shostakovich, Holst, Bruch, Tchaikovsky, finishing with traditional Sri Lankan song Danno Badunge - live recording below:

 CONCERTS IN SRI LANKA

James Ross has conducted many concerts with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra, with local and international soloists. He continues to enjoy a close relationship with the Orchestra and its individual members.
Concerts have included the first orchestral performance at Colombo's Nelum Pokuna Theatre in 2013, Ladies' College and Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle. This included Mozart, Piano Concerto K.414 with Sophia Rahman and students from The Purcell School and Chetham's School of Music, sponsored by The Royal Over-Seas League and Janashakthi Insurance.

UK STUDY TOUR


In 2012, James Ross organised a UK study tour for Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka members to The Philharmonia Orchestra with Esa-Pekka Salonen, London Philharmonic Orchestra with Vladimir Jurowski, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Sir Roger Norrington, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra, Purcell School, Chetham's School of Music, and Royal Northern College of Music. The tour culminated in a concert at St John's Smith Square in collaboration with Alison Cox OBE of The Commonwealth Resounds and The Royal Overseas League. Sponsorship by The Hirdaramani Group of Companies.

DEVELOPING CLASSICAL MUSIC IN SRI LANKA

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Having seen the challenges many musicians in Sri Lanka face with such simple tasks as obtaining music or finding suitable teachers for advanced study on their chosen instrument, James has worked to enhance the possibilities for young Sri Lankans. Colombo is situated 1,500 miles for the nearest professional orchestra; opportunities for collaboration between musicians are highly valued but rare. He has advised young musicians on further study, including auditions for UK and US music colleges, and conducting teaching and career support.

MEDIA

James Ross has taken part in many press interviews and TV broadcasts whilst in Sri Lanka and has build up a large network of contacts, both within the music industry and beyond. Appearances include with MTV and Sri Lankan radio.

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