Our President is James Edwin Rushman, who is also our Musical Director, Conductor and Co Founder of the Edwin James Festival Choir & Orchestra.

Trained as a Organist in Brighton & Hove where he became resident Organist in many Churches from the age of 15, progressing to Choir Director and Organist arranging many Concerts with Orchestra in which he conducted. This led to acting as Musical Director in many Musicals in the Brighton area, including Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific and many more, working with many Orchestral Groups.

It was when James came to Littlehampton to take the post at St James the Great Church where as Musical Director the Choir became the core of the start of his own Choir which has grown to what it is today.

When James left St James Church to become Director of Music at St Mary the Virgin in Felpham, he renamed the St James Concert Choir to the Edwin James Festival Choir. 

James' passion is Music, Our Choir and Conducting the Orchestra for the many Concerts, bringing together Musicians from all over Sussex and Hampshire. This involves arranging many of the Orchestral pieces. 

James'  working life is also spent in Music, playing for Weddings and Funerals around the County, working mainly for the Funeral Directors at Findon Crematorium and local Churches.

All the time spent involved in Music is only made possible because of the support of James' partner, the people who make up the two choirs and the many friends along the way, not forgetting our Audiences and Congregations who have continued to support the Choirs.

Our Motto is ‘Music is Life’ and James' life is certainly that.