Profile

James Lowe is the 8th Music Director of the Spokane Symphony, a position he has held since the 2019/20 season.

Internationally recognised for his passionate performances, imaginative programming, and deep commitment to connecting music with communities, he has shaped a dynamic artistic vision in Spokane, championing underrepresented voices, creating programs that resonate across generations, and affirming his belief that classical music is for everyone.

Alongside his work on the podium, he remains dedicated to engaging new audiences and to his long-standing commitment to youth music.

Lowe’s career has taken him to five continents, collaborating with leading orchestras in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the United States. As a guest conductor he has appeared with ensembles including the Indianapolis Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Osaka Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, The Hallé Orchestra, Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic, Luxembourg Philharmonic, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, St. Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony, and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera.

Previously, Lowe served as Chief Conductor of the Prueßisches Kammerorchester (Germany) and the Vaasa City Orchestra (Finland), as Associate Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and as Orchestras Advisor to the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland. His work as Artistic Director of the Hallé Harmony Youth Orchestra was featured in a four-part documentary broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK. He also worked as Assistant Conductor to Haitink in performances with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.

Educated at the University of Edinburgh, Lowe further developed his craft as Benjamin Zander Conducting Fellow with the Boston Philharmonic and in masterclasses with renowned teachers including Jorma Panula, Neeme Järvi, Bernard Haitink, and Valery Gergiev.

In addition to his conducting work, Lowe is an active educator and conducting teacher. He is a regular guest teacher with the conducting class at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, has frequently taught alongside Professor Johannes Schlaefli in international workshops, and worked as a guest teacher of the conducting class at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and the Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide. His current research examines how orchestras can effectively engage with a broader public, building on his lifelong commitment to expanding access to classical music.

  • BBC Philharmonic
  • BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
  • City of Vaasa Orchestra
  • Collegium Musicum Basel
  • Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble (Principal Conductor)
  • Elder Conservatorium Orchestra Adelaide
  • Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
  • Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra
  • Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim
  • Kwa Zulu Natal Philharmonic
  • London Symphony Orchestra in master class with Valery Gergiev
  • Luxembourg Philharmonic
  • Luzern Symphony Orchestra in master class with Bernard Haitink
  • Mikkelin Kaupunginorkesteri
  • Moscow Chamber Orchestra
  • Music for Everyone (Principal Guest Conductor)
  • Musique Cordiale Festival Orchestra
  • National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada
  • New Bristol Sinfonia (Artistic Director)
  • New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Oulu Symphony Orchestra
  • Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Pori Sinfonietta
  • Residentie Orkest, Den Haag also in master class with Neeme Järvi
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Danish Academy of Music Orchestra
  • Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Associate Conductor, 2004–2007)
  • Scottish Ballet
  • Scottish Chamber Orchestra
  • Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä
  • Sinfonia ViVA
  • Sinfonietta de Lausanne
  • St. Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra
  • Szczecin Philharmonic
  • The Hallé Harmony Youth Orchestra
  • The Hallé Orchestra
  • The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera
  • Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
  • West of Scotland Schools Orchestra (Artistic Director)
Piano
  • Inon Barnatan
  • Peter Donohoe
  • Philip Fischer
  • Tanya Gabrielian
  • Lang Lang
  • Natasha Paremski
  • Awadagin Pratt
Strings
  • Zuill Bailey, cello
  • Nicola Benedetti, violin
  • Benjamin Beilman, violin
  • Glenn Dicterow, violin
  • Steven Isserlis, cello
  • Guy Johnston, cello
  • Natalie Klein, cello
  • Jack Liebeck, violin
  • Yo-Yo Ma, cello
  • Inbal Segev, cello
  • Rafal Zambrzycki-Payne, violin
Brass and woodwind
  • Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet
  • Demarre McGill, flute
  • Byron Stripling, trumpet
Voice
  • Karen Cargill, mezzo soprano
  • Barbara Hendricks, soprano
  • Jane Irwin, soprano
  • Elizabeth Llewellyn, soprano
  • Andrew Staples, tenor
  • Leslie Odom Jr.
  • Vanessa Williams
  • Pink Martini