All State Jazz Band
Conductor
Dr. James Spinazzola
Dr. James Spinazzola is currently Associate Professor of Music and Director of
Instrumental Activities at the University of Indianapolis, where his duties include the
direction of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, and the
instruction of courses in conducting. He also manages a highly-regarded annual
conducting workshop that attracts participants from throughout the Midwest. Under his direction,
the UIndy Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed for the Indiana Music
Educators
Association, and recently undertook a performance tour of Europe. Dr.
Spinazzola also
serves as Conductor of the New World Youth Philharmonic, and as
Music Director of
the Indianapolis Youth Wind Ensemble. Previously on the faculty of Tennessee Tech
University, he began his career as Director of Music at Frankfort High School (West
Virginia). As a guest conductor, he has worked with numerous regional or all-state
ensembles in nine states, and frequently serves as a guest clinician with bands,
orchestras, and jazz ensembles in school and professional settings.
Dr. Spinazzola's publications include three articles in the Teaching Music Through
Performance in Band series (GIA), a wind ensemble transcription of John Adams'
Lollapalooza (Boosey & Hawkes) , and a chapter in the recent release, Women of
Influence in Contemporary Music: Nine American Composers (Scarecrow). His
transcriptions, arrangements and compositions have been performed by ensembles
in
the United States, Canada and Japan, at conferences of the College Band
Directors National Association and the Percussive Arts Society, and by the training
company of the Nashville Ballet (Tennessee). Also active as a saxophonist, Dr.
Spinazzola has recorded a compact disc for the Mark Custom label, and his playing
has earned praise in Saxophone Journal, Downbeat, and Bandworld magazines. His
degrees are from Duquesne University (BS), the University of Colorado (MM), and
Louisiana State University (DMA), and his principal conducting teachers were
Dr. Robert Cameron, Allan McMurray, and Frank Wickes.