SOP Podcast 125: James Flores On His 12 Recitals In 12 Months Challenge
b"Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #125!\\n\\nToday's guest is an Australian organist James Flores. He began his musical career with piano lessons at the age of 4 under the guidance of his aunt, Aurora Flores. Since then, he has been a regular participant at the Albury-Wodonga Eisteddfod and has won the age championships several times throughout his school years. He has also been Junior Champion of the Bernstein Piano Competition held at Shepparton and a finalist at the Bernstein Piano Competition held in Ringwood. James also studied the violin, with the late Margaret Moore, and participated in numerous Border Music Camps and as a member of the Murray Conservatorium Orchestra. James successfully completed the piano AMEB grades and attained the AMusA in 2009.\\n\\nIn 2011, James became interested in sacred music and the organ. He first began lessons on the organ under the instruction of Benedict Wilson and subsequently became sub-organist for the Schola Cantorum at St Patrick\\u2019s Church, Albury. James was actively involved in the Schola\\u2019s liturgical activities, concerts and the production of three CDs. From 2014, he continued his organ studies under the guidance of Dr Allan Beavis as Organ Scholar of the St Matthew\\u2019s Music Association. In 2017, James placed second in the Ringwood Classical Organ Competition (Melbourne, VIC). James has participated in masterclasses with renowned organists such as Daniel Moult (London, UK) and Johann Vexo (Choir Organist, Notre Dame de Paris).\\n\\nJames has successfully attained the Licentiate Diploma with Honours from the St Cecilia School of Music (SCSM) in organ and the Associate Diploma from the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) in organ and piano. He also holds a Diploma in Church Music (SCSM) and the Archbishops\\u2019 Award in Church Music (Guild of Church Musicians).\\n\\nJames\\u2019 involvement in church music ministry spans over several parishes of the Albury, NSW, area. James enjoys the demanding but rewarding challenges in contributing to the various liturgies of the Christian church and his ongoing development as a recitalist and liturgical organist. James hopes that the organ will be a treasured instrument for many more generations to come.\\n\\nApart from his musical endeavors, James completed an IT degree from the University of Wollongong and currently works as an Enterprise Systems Engineer at Fairfax Media. He is also strongly interested and skilled in many web related technologies. In fact, his website (jamesfloresorganist.com) was created by James along with the assistance of his talented wife Leysa Flores (Graphic Designer).\\n\\nIn this conversation, James shares his insights about his recent 12 recitals in 12 months challenge.\\n\\nAnd don't forget to help spread the word about the SOP Podcast by sharing it with your organist friends."