James Rees
James Rees serves as the Director of Bands at Grapevine High School. He is in his eighteenth year of teaching and seventh year at Grapevine. Prior to his current position, he was the Associate Director at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD and at Evans Middle School in McKinney ISD.
Mr. Rees’ concert bands have been selected as the outstanding group at Peak Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival, The Lone Star Showcase of Music, and the North Texas Festival of Distinction. They have also been nationally recognized by the Citation of Excellence, Mark of Excellence, and the Medal of Distinction. The Grapevine Wind Ensemble advanced to the state round of the TMEA Honor Band competition in 2025. Marching Bands under his direction have earned exclusively superior ratings at all UIL events. The Mustang Band has been recognized as a Bands of America regional class champion, regional finalist, regional runner-up, and UIL area finalist. The Mustang Band performed in Carnegie Hall in 2022 and in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland in 2025.
Mr. Rees holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Rees was selected as the Principal Tuba of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest member of the orchestra. Mr. Rees also holds a master’s in Music Education from Southern Methodist University.
Mr. Rees is an active adjudicator and guest clinician and is honored to have professional affiliations with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He serves on the TMEA State Board as the Vice-President of Region 31 and has previously served as the Band Chair for Region 31. Mr. Rees and his wife, Sarah, live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.
Mr. Rees’ concert bands have been selected as the outstanding group at Peak Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival, The Lone Star Showcase of Music, and the North Texas Festival of Distinction. They have also been nationally recognized by the Citation of Excellence, Mark of Excellence, and the Medal of Distinction. The Grapevine Wind Ensemble advanced to the state round of the TMEA Honor Band competition in 2025. Marching Bands under his direction have earned exclusively superior ratings at all UIL events. The Mustang Band has been recognized as a Bands of America regional class champion, regional finalist, regional runner-up, and UIL area finalist. The Mustang Band performed in Carnegie Hall in 2022 and in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland in 2025.
Mr. Rees holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Rees was selected as the Principal Tuba of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest member of the orchestra. Mr. Rees also holds a master’s in Music Education from Southern Methodist University.
Mr. Rees is an active adjudicator and guest clinician and is honored to have professional affiliations with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He serves on the TMEA State Board as the Vice-President of Region 31 and has previously served as the Band Chair for Region 31. Mr. Rees and his wife, Sarah, live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.