James Rees
James Rees serves as the Director of Bands at Grapevine High School. He is in his seventeenth year of teaching and sixth year at Grapevine. Prior to his current position, he was the Associate Director at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD and Associate Director 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 recognized by the Citation of Excellence, Mark of Excellence, and the Medal of Distinction. 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.
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, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Rees has served in the roles of Band Chair and Vice President in Region 31 for the Texas Music Educators Association. 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 recognized by the Citation of Excellence, Mark of Excellence, and the Medal of Distinction. 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.
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, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Rees has served in the roles of Band Chair and Vice President in Region 31 for the Texas Music Educators Association. Mr. Rees and his wife Sarah live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.