Dr. James C. Colonna

Lecturer of Music

D.M.A., Michigan State University
M.M., University of North Texas

Academic Areas: music education, conductor - Wind Symphony, conducting.

Dr. James C. Colonna
237 Haas Fine Arts Center
Music & Theatre Arts Department
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

Phone: 715/836-4417
Email: colonnjc@uwec.edu

Jim Colonna is the Conductor of the Wind Symphony at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He has served as the Director of Instrumental Music at Indiana/Purdue University-Fort Wayne and Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Prior to joining the faculty at IPFW, he earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree at Michigan State University where he studied conducting with John Whitwell and Kevin Sedatole. In 2000 Jim earned is Masters of Music Degree from University of North Texas where he studied conducting with Eugene Corporon and composition with Cindy McTee. Dr. Colonna has been a frequent guest conductor throughout the United States where he has premiered many of his own compositions.

As a conductor, Colonna has released a CD with the LCCC Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, Wind Dancer. Norman Dello Joio, and Sammy Nestico have granted critical acclaim for this release of their music. “The Wind Symphony’s performance of my variants will be placed among those of the very fine,” stated Norman Dello Joio. “We can help change the world one note at a time,” said Sammy Nestico.

In 1996, he began his career as a composer and has composed more than 16 original compositions, of which 15 have been published. He has received many commissions to create unique works for large concert ensembles, most recently, Radhe, commissioned by the Fort Wayne Area Community Band, “7”, commissioned by the Michigan State University Symphonic Band and the New England Music Camp and Zoom! commissionedby the Meridian Band from Okemos, Michigan. He also premiered an orchestra composition Glee! with the 2005 Wyoming All-State Orchestra. He has been recognized by fellow composers including Cindy McTee, Michael Colgrass, Michael Torke, Joel Puckett and Jack Stamp. Torke remarks: “Mr. Colonna’s music is artistic even though composed for high-school band, his music is honest and deserves repeat performances.” Michael Colgrass states: “Jim’s Music is a wonderful addition to the band world, it contains magnificent scoring throughout.” Recently Colonna’s compositions have been performed across the globe in the UK, Canada, Japan, Belgium, and Finland.

Jim’s music has been recorded by the North Texas Wind Symphony, Rutgers Wind Ensemble and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. His compositions have been featured in Teaching through Music and Band where he is also a contributing author.

As a trumpet performer, Dr. Colonna performed with the 113th Army Band, the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony, the Night Flight and Jim Colonna Big Bands, the Cheyenne Brass and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

Related Links:
UW-Eau Claire Bands

Courses:

MUSI 181/381 Wind Ensemble
MUSI 350 Conducting
MUED 135 Conducting Lab
MUED 401 Instrumental Literature & Conducting