James Bobb, harpsichord

James E. Bobb is Director of Music at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word, where he has served since August of 1994. Music there includes six choirs for various ages, of which Bobb directs the Senior, Youth, and Boys Choirs in repertoire spanning seven centuries. In 2001, Bobb directed the Senior Choir in a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Passion according to St. John, and in 2002 conducted the ensemble on a tour of Sweden. Under his artistic guidance, the Music Series at Incarnate Word continues to offer early and modern music in the liturgical context of Vespers. Bach Cantatas, Vespers, and the annual Advent and Epiphany celebrations are typical features of the series.

Bobb is Adjunct Professor of Organ at Nazareth College and Instructor in Sacred Music at the Eastman School of Music, both in Rochester, New York. At the harpsichord, Bobb has performed Bach's Goldberg Variations in Rochester, Boston, and Baltimore. He has appeared as soloist, conductor, and continuo player with The Publick Musick and Rochester Bach Festival. Bobb is also known for his hymn festivals.

Bobb received his Bachelor's degree in Piano and Organ Performance at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He hold a Master's degree in Organ Performance and Literature, and Performer's Certificates in organ and harpsichord from the Eastman School of Music, where he will soon complete doctoral studies. At Eastman, he worked for three years under Christel Thielmann and Paul O'Dette in Baroque Chamber Music and Collegium Musicum respectively. James' teachers have included Russell Saunders, David Craighead and Janet Linker in organ, Arthur Haas in harpsichord and continuo, Richard Erickson in improvisation, and Frank Hussey in piano.