James Rees
James Rees serves as the Director of Bands at Grapevine High School. He is entering his 13th year of teaching and second 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.
Bands under Mr. Rees' direction have earned superior ratings consistently at all UIL events. Those bands have been selected as the outstanding group at Peak Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival and the Director's Choice Lone Star Showcase of Music. The Lake Highlands Symphonic Band was selected as a Commended Winner of the Foundation of Music Education's Citation of Excellence in 2018. Musicals conducted by Mr. Rees have been nominated for best orchestra in the Dallas Summer Musical Awards and Casa Mañana's Buckley Awards.
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 and his wife Sarah live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.
Bands under Mr. Rees' direction have earned superior ratings consistently at all UIL events. Those bands have been selected as the outstanding group at Peak Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival and the Director's Choice Lone Star Showcase of Music. The Lake Highlands Symphonic Band was selected as a Commended Winner of the Foundation of Music Education's Citation of Excellence in 2018. Musicals conducted by Mr. Rees have been nominated for best orchestra in the Dallas Summer Musical Awards and Casa Mañana's Buckley Awards.
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 and his wife Sarah live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.