1.  The Adams State College (soon to be Adams State University) Big Band performs Thursday, April 26th at 7:30pm in Richardson Auditorium.  Some great tunes by Radiohead will accompany favorites from Buddy, Ella, Maynard, and more.

2.  The Adams State Percussion Spectacular is May 2nd at 7:30pm and for the first time, will be streaming live at www.adams.edu/live

Join us live in person or interact online!

3. I'm hosting Bret Kuhn for a Yamaha Sounds of Summer Camp on June 25-26.  Check out the link to "Sounds of Summer" for more information!

It's been a whirlwind start to the semester with a handful of gigs, recording projects, and other events.

It was a pleasure to play with an all-star cast for Alison Kitchen's CD release, present a cymbals clinic at the Colorado Music Educators Association Convention, work on the finishing touches to Jenny Bird's upcoming CD (stay tuned for our CD release concert dates), perform with the talented Heather Antonissen, and perform with members of the USAF Academy Band "Falconaires" on a recital as part of our Top of the Nation Honor Band. 

As part of the festival, I annually serve as a guest conductor for one of the bands.  This year was a lot of fun as we performed John Mackey's composition, "Foundry."  Thanks to all of the Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas band directors and their students who participated.

In other news, Tracy submitted a recording of our flute and marimba duo for the National Flute Association Convention at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and we were accepted to perform this August.  Viva Las Vegas!

I have a March full of adjudication/clinician engagements, performances, and travel and hope to give this site a big overhaul by April (to finally include audio and video!).  Stay tuned and stay in touch!

James

We have exciting news to share for the new year-  Adams State was approved and accredited by NASM to offer a masters in music education, with an option for the degree to be predominantly online.  We plan to start the first cohort in August of this year.  Message me for more information.

In other news, I'm looking forward to a busy semester with some wonderful CD releases, clinics for jazz festivals, percussion events, and the state music conference, a new course to teach in music business, a faculty solo recital, and much more. 

And as a new year's resolution, I'm planning to make frequent blog updates so stay tuned.

Happy New Year!

James

Also, thanks to the great folks at Vic Firth, my student, David Noller was given the opportunity for a free lesson with Australian drum set artist, Grant Collins.  He had a wonderful time, as did all of my students in attendance.

Adams State College Jazz Fest 2011 December 2-3 Featuring

 Bobby Shew

High School Ensembles are encouraged to perform for clinicians on Saturday.  Eight slots are still available.

Also featuring Chuck Lamb of the Brubeck Brothers

PROJECT Trio with beatboxing flutist sensation Greg Pattillo

Vocal improviser Theano Lamb

And from the USAF Academy Band Falconaires, Ryan Janus (saxophones), Marcel Marchetti (trumpet), and Jason Crowe (bass).

The event is $70 per ensemble and includes your performance and all concerts and clinics.  Vocal ensembles are welcome to participate and please bring your other instrumentalists.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER with this simple to use Google form or email me: jwdoyle@adams.edu

 Event Schedule:

Friday, December 2 at 7:30pm Big Band Concert featuring Bobby Shew

The Adams State College Big Band and the SLV Big Band featuring Bobby Shew with special guests, Falconaires members Ryan Janus, Marcel Marchetti, and Jason Crowe.

(There will be some times available for bands to play for clinicians on Friday evening if needed.)

Saturday, Dec 3 all day

8am-1pm- high school bands perform for clinicians every 30 minutes. Open to the public.

1:00pm Bobby Shew trumpet clinic

2:30pm Chuck Lamb improvisation clinic

4:00pm Theano Lamb vocal improvisation clinic

5:30pm Greg Pattillo flute/beatboxing clinic

7:30pm PROJECT Trio in concert

For lodging and dining options, visit the Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Formed in 2009 at the University of Texas at Austin, line upon line percussion has set out to expand their repertoire through the commission of new works. The group's first disc, released in August 2011, contains four pieces written for the trio by Austin composers. In 2011, the trio was nominated for an Austin Critics' Table Award for Best Classical Ensemble. October 2011 will bring the premiere of their project with architects Emily Little and Norma Yancey, seeing times are not hidden, a site-specific work for three performers and custom chimes. line upon line percussion maintains educational and outreach roles with the Austin Chamber Music Center and has performed at various academic institutions around the country. The group has also performed at the Long Center, the Blanton Museum of Art, Fast Forward Austin and the International Festival-Institute at Round Top. line upon line percussion is Adam Bedell, Cullen Faulk and Matthew Teodori.

For more information, visit:

www.lineuponlinepercussion.com

August is upon us and after an entire summer of touring and music making, it's time to focus on the start of the academic year and those wonderful new opportunities around the corner.

A quick shout out to a couple of my students.  First, congratulations to junior percussion major Josh Wohlrabe on his selection to the Percussive Arts Society 50th Anniversary Marimba Orchestra at this year's PASIC.  Josh worked hard preparing his audition video and it paid off. 

Josh was also the principal percussionist for this year's Kappa Kappa Psi National Intercollegiate Band, directed by Craig Kirchhoff, with guest composer Adam Gorb.  Congratulations to Josh!

DCI fans should keep an eye out for a show near you (or a movie theater broadcast of DCI near you) and check out what the Cavaliers are doing this year!  Their show has been killing it and we are very proud of junior percussion major, Nic Owen who's marching snare for his second season with the Cavies.  Best of luck to Nic and the Cavaliers as finals are quickly approaching. 

Look for more updates and video clips as the month rolls along, and if you would like for me to visit your school this year, please contact me as I'm booking my clinic schedule over the next few weeks.

Thanks!

J-

Upcoming Events:

-Check my calendar for tour dates in Southern California during the month of July.

-Hear me perform with the wonderful Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra in Durango, CO at the end of July.  This festival orchestra is comprised of members of orchestras and faculties from throughout the country and has a great season.  Check it out at www.musicinthemountains.com

-I'll be performing Carmina Burana with the San Juan Symphony in Durango, CO April 16-17. For more info, visit:

www.sanjuansymphony.org

-The ASC Percussion Spectacular takes place on April 20th at 7:30pm.  Works by Reich, Peck, Bissell, and more, as well as traditional marimba music of Zimbabwe.  Also featuring the ASC Rocky Mountain Pan Handlers and Community Steel Band.  For more information, visit my Calendar. 

-The ASC Big Band will perform with the SLV Big Band on April 27th at 7:30pm.  Hear works by Maynard Ferguson, Frank Mantooth, Pat Metheny, Gordon Goodwin, and much more.  Visit my Calendar for more information.

-Performances in Alamosa for the Summerfest on the Rio with The Andy Skellenger Percussion Project and the talented Middle Eastern dancer, Shariffa.  Visit: www.summerfestontherio.org

-I'll be in St. Louis, MO for a recording project from June 6-17th.  Stay tuned for performances in Missouri/Illinois during that time period.

-I'll be on faculty at The Hummingbird Music Camp in Jemez, NM June 26-July 3.  For more information, visit:

www.hummingbirdmusiccamp.org

-And my Irish band, Tripping Upstairs is booking several performances at music festivals throughout Colorado, including a performance on July 3rd for the Alamosa Live Music Association's Sunday's at Six Concert Series.  Stay tuned for more to come!