Director

Jim is recognized as one of the foremost music educators in the state of Illinois with a lifetime of experience as an elementary, secondary, college and adult instructor.   Jim enjoyed a long and successful career as a high school band director in Decatur IL., both at Stephen Decatur HS (1972-1978) and MacArthur HS (1978-2011) where he developed well-balanced programs of concert, marching and jazz bands.   

Jim has been a national leader in the field of jazz education supported by 38 Downbeat Student Music Awards during his tenure at MacArthur HS, in an assortment of categories, garnering the top spot as the “Best High School Jazz Band” in the U.S. four times (1989, 1991, 1992 and 2002) and best jazz combo twice (2002 & 2008) all during a 39-year career.  The MacArthur HS Jazz Band traveled extensively, including six summer concert tours to Tokyo Japan, the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands and Jazz Festivals in Montreux Switzerland, Umbria Italy, and Vienne France.   

Culbertson has served as Vice-President of the Jazz Division of the Illinois Music Educators Association and is the past Vice-President of the Illinois unit of International Association of Jazz Educators.  Jim was a featured writer, reviewing new jazz band publications monthly for the Instrumentalist magazine 1990-2005.   he was National Band Association jazz chair from 1999-2003 and served as the coordinator and director of the NBA All- American Jazz Band for the 2000 convention in San Antonio.  Jim was a member of the Resource Team for the International Association of Jazz Educators, 2000 – 2008 communicating through email info regarding jazz instruction with teachers from across the globe.  Teacher & jazz band leader during the “Bands of America Summer Symposium” 1994-2005.  Served as seminar director at Vandercook College, in downtown Chicago conducting 40-hour seminars for graduate students, 1990-1998.   Guest clinician and adjudicator at the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival, 1994-1999.  Jim was a guest clinician/band leader/performer for “Birch Creek Music Center” Egg Harbor Wisconsin, summer sessions 1983, 1985, 1987.

Jim has been guest All-State jazz band director for the following All-State conventions: Louisiana 1991, Florida 1992, Illinois 1997 & 2011, Nevada 2008, Georgia 2022.  

Jim has been very active as a professional trumpet player, starting back in 1965 where he joined the Springfield Municipal Band, (the youngest ever to join at age, 14).  Jim had a long stint in the late 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s of playing lead trumpet in the house bands for the annual Peoria IL County Fair and the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.   The house band played behind many national acts touring the summer fair concert circuit.  Jim was principal trumpet in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (1975-1981) and was also featured on trumpet with one the finest Show-Bands’ in the Midwest, “Alive Again” from 1978-1983.  Jim founded the “Decatur Big” in 1975, a contemporary big band that features the best jazz musicians in Central Illinois, playing once a month at LSB and The Wagon Restaurants in Decatur (1975-present).  Jim served as contractor, leader, Lead Trumpet of the State Farm Orchestra that was featured behind such international stars as Shirley Jones, Tony Bennett, Steve Allen, Susan Anton, Gloria Loring and others (1983-1989).  Jim was a member of the touring band for smooth jazz star, Brian Culbertson, performing over 300 shows in major market cities across the country (2003-2008), with 18 special performances as the opening act for the “Barry Manilow Show”. JC was also a member of the October 2009 BC Tour of Japan and a member of the UK concert tour, May of 2011.

Jim has received many awards during his long career in music and a few are listed below.

• “The teacher of the Year award” Decatur Public Schools in 1995

• “National Jazz Educator award”, Downbeat Magazine, 1995 & 2009

• “Citizen of the year” City of Decatur 2012

• “Citation of Excellence” from the National Band Association, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2000

• “One of the top high school band directors in US”, School Band & Orchestra Magazine 1999

• Dedication of the 3rd floor “Jim Culbertson Rehearsal Hall” Madden Art Center downtown Decatur IL., July 5, 2004

• Dedication of “The Culbertson-Waller Performing Arts Center” during the newly renovated MacArthur HS auditorium dedication, Jan. 2017

• June 12, 2023, Julie Moore, Mayor of Decatur, officially proclaimed this day “Jim Culbertson Day” in Decatur, IL for the impact of his time and talent towards the betterment of Decatur as leader and teacher.