Music Director & Conductor
Over his 20+ years in the Kansas City area, James Murray has established himself as a consummate professional on and off the podium. He has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Northland Symphony Orchestra since 1998, Music Director and Founding Conductor of the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra (formerly the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra) since 1997 and Music Director and Conductor of the Heritage Philharmonic since 2005. He has conducted hundreds of concerts containing over 350 pieces of music representing well over 150 composers.
After making his orchestral conducting debut in Rome, Italy he went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in music performance from William Jewell College, where he studied with Dr. Phillip C. Posey and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Denver, where he studied with Dr. Horst Buchholz. Additional training includes the world-renowned Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina.
A versatile performer, guest conducting appearances have included the Kansas City Baroque Consortium, the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, the Independence Symphony, the Kansas City Cello Ensemble, William Jewell College Opera, Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park, and the Centennial Philharmonic. Jim is frequently in demand as a clinician and over his career has worked with the fine high school orchestral musicians from school districts around the entire Kansas City metropolitan area; from Liberty to Olathe, Independence to Park Hill, Lee’s Summit to North Kansas City, and from Raytown to St. Joseph. Additionally, he has served as the conductor/clinician for the St. Louis All-Suburban Orchestra and the Kansas City Metro 3 All-District Middle School Orchestra.
Off the podium, Jim has served as the Music Coordinator & Instructor of Music at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods since 2003. An award-winning educator, he has received both the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Excellence in Higher Education Award from the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Jim is married to soprano and conductor Nicole Murray with whom he has been fortunate to share the stage numerous times over his career. When not involved in educational or musical pursuits, Jim and Nicole seek out the highest, fastest, and most interesting rollercoasters to ride around the world.
After making his orchestral conducting debut in Rome, Italy he went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in music performance from William Jewell College, where he studied with Dr. Phillip C. Posey and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Denver, where he studied with Dr. Horst Buchholz. Additional training includes the world-renowned Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina.
A versatile performer, guest conducting appearances have included the Kansas City Baroque Consortium, the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, the Independence Symphony, the Kansas City Cello Ensemble, William Jewell College Opera, Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park, and the Centennial Philharmonic. Jim is frequently in demand as a clinician and over his career has worked with the fine high school orchestral musicians from school districts around the entire Kansas City metropolitan area; from Liberty to Olathe, Independence to Park Hill, Lee’s Summit to North Kansas City, and from Raytown to St. Joseph. Additionally, he has served as the conductor/clinician for the St. Louis All-Suburban Orchestra and the Kansas City Metro 3 All-District Middle School Orchestra.
Off the podium, Jim has served as the Music Coordinator & Instructor of Music at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods since 2003. An award-winning educator, he has received both the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Excellence in Higher Education Award from the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Jim is married to soprano and conductor Nicole Murray with whom he has been fortunate to share the stage numerous times over his career. When not involved in educational or musical pursuits, Jim and Nicole seek out the highest, fastest, and most interesting rollercoasters to ride around the world.
