Joaquin ISD Annouces New Band Director

July 22, 2015 - James Carpenter has been named the new Head Band director at Joaquin ISD. His research consists primarily with Wagnerian Opera in association with Richard Wagner’s adaptation of the Nibelungenlied into his dramatic prose. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Louisiana State University’s Music Education program where he studied extensively with Dr. Griffin Campbell and Dr. James Byo. Mr. Carpenter’s previous teaching experiences at Central Community School System in Central, LA and Elysian Fields ISD in Elysian Fields, TX offer a wide diversity of exposure throughout the music education curriculum, coupled with Superior Ratings at various competitions. He enjoys teaching Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Piano, Percussion, Guitar, and Music History courses.

As a former graduate from Hallsville, TX, and proud member of the Roarin’ Band from Bobcatland, he has grown up in the Military Marching tradition. Through this tradition, Mr. Carpenter became an Army Bandsman when he joined the Louisiana Army National Guard, and is still a current member of Louisiana’s Own 156th Army Band where he plays in Marching, Jazz, and Concert Bands. In addition to playing with these musical performance teams at various events, he also serves the national and international community through humanitarian missions with the Louisiana Army National Guard. These missions have included responses to Hurricane Isaac, Belize music education efforts, and relief work due to the earthquake that hit Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Carpenter is an active performer for East Texas Symphonic Band, and The Sounds of Swing Jazz Band. He has recorded saxophone tracks for Antoine Tut Stuart, which will be appearing for purchase on iTunes soon. He has also appeared briefly in movies such as the Best of Me, and Pitch Perfect 2. On his off time he enjoys playing live jazz in the French Quarter, eating exquisite cuisine, going on adventures with his two Labrador Retrievers, hiking, camping, and kayaking. When he is home, he enjoys relaxing at his lake house, researching Caddo Indian history, and composing music.