James Bagwell

Conductor

“James Bagwell led his eager Chorale and the American Symphony Orchestra with sympathetic verve.”

– MARTIN BERNHEIMER, FINANCIAL TIMES

James Bagwell maintains an active international schedule as a conductor of choral, operatic, and orchestral music. He was recently named associate conductor of The Orchestra Now (TON) and was appointed principal guest conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra in 2009.

latest news

James was recently featured as the Insignia Artists Management Artist of the Month!

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Upcoming Schedule

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July 24-August 2, 2026

Die ägyptische Helena

James will serve as chorus master for this seldom heard Strauss opera in a rare, U.S staging at Bard SummerScape

Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
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August 13, 2026

7:00PM

Bard Music Festival: Program Six

James will lead the Bard Festival Chorale and Ensemble in works by Allegri, Mozart, Haydn and Handel in a program entitled, "I Live with God Ever Before Me: Mozart's Religion."

Church of the Messiah
Rhinebeck, New York
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August 14,2026

7:00PM

Bard Music Festival: Program Seven

James will lead the Orchestra Now and the Bard Festival Chorale in works by Mozart and Michael Haydn, including a rare performance of Mozart's Davide penitente.

Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
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September 26, 2026

7:30PM

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

James will begin his season as Principal Conductor leading the orchestra's opening concert featuring works of Beethoven, Márquez, and Bacewizc

Tulsa Performing Arts Center
Tulsa Oklahoma
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October 17, 2026

7:30PM

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

Verdi Requiem

Tulsa Performing Arts Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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“The Bard singers, under the direction of James Bagwell, were a highlight of and an authoritative presence throughout, projecting Nono’s fractured, eerie voicings and wailing walls of sound with confidence from their station behind the orchestra. More than the instrumentalists and most of the vocal soloists, or the conductor, Bagwell’s choir gave this allegorical beast much of its galvanizing force.”

– SEAN PICCOLI, NEW YORK CLASSICAL REVIEW

Recordings

June 27, 2014

Philip Glass: Koyaanisqatsi with Orchestra

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