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Community Concert band
Tours
Recent Band Highlights
- Kansas City Tour, Spring 1997
- Western Nebraska Tour, Spring 1998
- Kansas City Tour, Fall 1999
- Chicago Tour, Spring 2000
- Denver Tour, Spring 2001
- Oklahoma Tour, Spring 2002
- Concert with Nebraska Wind Symphony,April 21, 2003
- Kansas City Tour, Spring 2003
- Canada Tour, Spring 2004
- Iowa Tour, Spring 2005
- Kansas city Tour, April 2007
- Kansas City Royals National Anthem, April 2007
- Brass Ensemble and Clarinet Trio in China, May 2007
- College World Series National Anthem, June 2007
- Chicago Tour, March 2008
College World Series - National Anthem
Musicians and singers from throughout the Midwest compete each year. With the appearance of Grace University’s Community Concert Band on June 16, Grace has now had a National Anthem performed five times. Previous performers have been Mandi Hofer voice, Jeff James trombone and Skip Rempel and Jeff James, who performed twice as a brass duet.
Attendance at the game was the second highest in CWS history, with over 29,000 present.
The 2007 selection was the end of a three-month process that started with 116 applicants vying for the opportunity to perform. 40 were selected for final auditions, with 17 chosen to perform.
Most of the performers chosen were solo vocalists, but Grace was not the only large group selected. The Heartland Harmonizers Barbershop Chorus and the Central High School Singers also made appearances this year.
Student Awards
2002-2003
| Award | Student |
| Concerto Competition Winner | Ikaika Pekelo |
| Assistant Conductor | Aaron Jordan |
| Outstanding University Musician | Aaron Jordan |
| Outstanding Associate Member | Wendy Whaley |
| Outstanding Freshman | Eric Welch |
| Service Award | Greg Litchfield |
| Most Improved Musician | Jennie Miller |
2003-2004
| Award | Student |
| Concerto Competition Winner | Renae Wissink |
| Assistant Conductor | Rachel Voth |
| Outstanding University Musician | Natalie Tompkins |
| Outstanding Associate Member | Steve Hillmer |
| Outstanding Freshman | Jonathan Wissink |
| Service Award | Theresa Turley |
| Most Improved Musician | Traci Justesen |
2004-2005
| Award | Student |
| Concerto Competition Winner | Renae Wissink |
| Assistant Conductor | Rachel Voth |
| Outstanding University Musician | Natalie Tompkins |
| Outstanding Associate Member | Steve Hillmer |
| Outstanding Freshman | Jonathan Wissink |
| Service Award | Theresa Turley |
| Most Improved Musician | Traci Justesen |
2005-2006
| Award | Student |
| Assistant Conductor | Tasha Bretey |
| Outstanding University Musician | Tasha Bretey |
| Outstanding Associate Member | Ken Headlee |
| Outstanding Freshman | Mark Lambert |
| Service Award | Natalie Tompkins |
| Most Improved Musician | Elizabeth Brown/ Gary Arbaugh |
Nebraska Intercollegiate Band Award
| Award | Student |
| 1995 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | David Bartsch |
| 1996 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | David Bartsch |
| 2001 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | Aaron Jordan/ Ikaika Pekelo |
| 2002 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | Sara Glubranson, Aaron Jordan, Jennie Miller, Ikaika Pekelo |
| 2003 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | Amanda Arbaugh, Aaron Jordan, Jennie Miller, Ikaika Pekelo, Anna Seehausen, Eric Welch, Renae Wissink |
| 2004 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | Amanda Arbaugh, Jennie Miller, Anna Seehusen, Eric Welch, Renae Wissink |
| 2005 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | Anna Seehusen, Eric Welch, Renae Wissink, Natalie Tompkins |
| 2006 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band | Rachel Hardy, Natalie Tompkins |
Meet the Director
Jeffrey R. James – Director of Bands
Mr. James is an Associate Professor of Music, and has been at Grace since 1994.. Mr. James graduated from the University of Nebraska (B.M.E. in 1978 and M.M. in 1991). He taught high school instrumental music at Yutan Public Schools and later middle school music at Aurora public Schools.
The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association has presented Mr. James with the Jack R. Snider Outstanding Young Band Director Award. He is also a recipient of the Outstanding Young Nebraska Band Director, Junior High Division presented by the American School Band Directors Association.
Mr. James has performed the National Anthem for Kansas City Royals, Chicago Bulls, Omaha Royals, and College World Series. He has been a featured soloist with the Nebraska Wind Symphony, performing the Morceau Symphonique trombone concerto.
Mr. James teaches music theory, conducting, instrumental methods classes, arranging, applied low brass, and directs Concert Band. He also oversees all other instrumental ensembles, such as the Clarinet Quartet, Brass Ensemble, and Brass Trio.
Mr. James has 30 arrangements published, mostly with Mid-America Music Publishers and some with Light of the World Music. He serves as deacon chairman at Grace Baptist church in Omaha.
Jeff's wife, Pat has an English Education degree from UNL and a Masters in Counseling, also from UNL. They have four childres, Christa, Jana, Micah, and Josiah. Their sons are adopted from China. All four children play multiple instruments.
Email Jeffrey R. James: jjames@graceu.edu
Honors
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Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Jack R. Snider Outstanding Young Band Director (one of seven selected) 1986
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American School Band Directors Association Outstanding Young Nebraska Band Director – Junior High Division 1986
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Lincoln Northeast High 1974 John Philip Sousa Band Award
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Lincoln Sertoma Club Fine Arts Award for Music 1974
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Nebraska All-State Orchestra 1972 and 1973
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In 29 contests entered (District Music Contest, State Marching Contests, etc.) Concert Bands and Marching Bands under my direction over his 14 years of public school teaching earned 20 I’s, 9 II”s, and no III’s, IV’s, or V’s.
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