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

He trained as an 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, both with our Choir and that of his Church Choir. Also as Director and conductor of The Edwin James Festival Orchestra where he brings together Musicians from all over the Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire arranging many of the pieces for both Choir and Orchestra.

His working life also includes Music in which he plays for Weddings and Funerals across the area. In 2010 James trained as a Funeral and Wedding Celebrant. James works with the families to arrange a service which is unique to their needs celebrating the person they have lost in words and music. For those who want a more personal Wedding service after the formalities of the Registry office James conducts the service where ever they wish to incorporate their requests for their special day.

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.