French Horn: Jim Sours

Dr. James P. Sours works “to create and maintain an engaging learning environment to support both teachers and students in reaching their ultimate goal of learning for deep understanding in all areas of content.”

EDUCATION

  • Doctor of Education – George Fox University (Newberg, Oregon)
  • Master of Arts in Teaching in Music Education – Lewis and Clark College (Portland, Oregon)
  • Bachelor of Science, Music Education – University of Akron (Akron, Ohio)
  • Studied French horn with Cleveland Orchestra and New York Philharmonic personnel

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Doctoral degree – Earned a 3.927 GPA (Doctoral Dissertation Title: “An Examination Of Embedding Character Education Into The Daily Functions Of High School Instrumental Music Ensembles)
  • Masters degree – Earned a 4.0 GPA
    Upon special invitation by the United States Army conducted a master class for the Army Band at Ft. Sill Oklahoma
  • The Franklin Award (An award voted on by students, faculty and administration)
    Featured in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” in 1998
    Newspaper article in The Oregonian chronicling, what the author recognized to be his herculean task of teaching and managing two high school band programs, with comparisons made to “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (Cleveland and Franklin High Schools)

EXPERIENCE – ADMINISTRATION

  • Music Director/Conductor/Administrator, all Franklin High School Ensembles – Tours, fundraising, daily function, coordination and operation of parent organizations
  • Music Director/Conductor/Administrator of church choirs in Oklahoma and Oregon – All musical and administrative duties including programming relative to the church calendar and reporting to boards of directors.
  • Associate Manager Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra – Tours, fundraising, payroll, daily rehearsal and concert scheduling, reporting to board of directors
  • Manager Oklahoma Brass Ensemble – Tours, fundraising, payroll, rehearsal and concert scheduling, head of board of directors

EXPERIENCE – TEACHING

  • Franklin High School – Portland, Oregon
  • Cleveland High School – Portland, Oregon
  • Buckman Elementary School – Portland, Oregon
  • Skyline Elementary School – Portland, Oregon
  • Valley Catholic School (Mid High and High School)
  • Adjunct professor of French horn – Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Christian College, Bethany Nazarene College (Oklahoma), George Fox University (Newberg, Oregon)

EXPERIENCE – PROFESSIONAL PLAYING

  • United States Military Academy Band at West Point, New York
  • United States Military Academy Brass Quintet/Sextet, West Point, New York
  • Oregon Symphony Orchestra
  • Portland Festival Symphony Orchestra
  • Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra
  • Portland Opera
  • Oklahoma Brass Ensemble,
  • Akron (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra,
  • Big Horn Brass
  • Oregon Ballet Theater
  • Pyramid Horn Trio