James Popejoy
Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the
University of North Dakota
James Popejoy is Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of North Dakota, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and University Band. He instructs courses in graduate and undergraduate conducting, as well as a rotation of classes including instrumental literature, methods and materials, rehearsal techniques, and jazz pedagogy. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Missouri State University; the Master of Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Iowa; and earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting with a minor in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. Under his direction, the University of North Dakota Wind Ensemble has been selected to present performances at the 2001, 2005 & 2008 North Dakota Music Educators Association Conferences; the 2002 North Dakota Arts & Humanities Summit; and the 2006 College Band Directors National Association North Central Division Conference.
Selected as the “Outstanding Graduate Student in Conducting” from among the more than 1600 music majors at the University of North Texas, Dr. Popejoy has also been chosen for membership in the national honor organizations of Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Beta Mu. Most recently, he received the 2003 “Outstanding Faculty Award” from the UND chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha; an “Outstanding Professor Award” from the UND Mortar Board Society; the 2005 “Distinguished Alumnus Award” from the CMSU Department of Music; and selection as the 2006 North Dakota Music Educators Association “Educator of the Year.” Dr. Popejoy has several articles published in the “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” series, having also served as a production assistant and performer on the recordings that accompany these resource books. He served as Director of Bands and Percussion Studies at McLennan Community College in Texas for five years; was a public school music educator in Missouri for nine years; and has founded and conducted numerous adult and student community ensembles. Dr. Popejoy is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, International Association for Jazz Education, Percussive Arts Society, Chamber Music America, Manitoba Band Association, North Dakota National Band Association, and the North Dakota Music Educators Association, and served on the Executive Boards for NDMEA and NDNBA. He remains active as a classical and jazz percussionist, clinician and guest conductor.