Jim Pospisil Biography

JIM POSPISIL

JIM POSPISIL HAS BEEN PRINCIPAL HORN OF THE DSSO SINCE 1996. HE HAS FOUND DULUTH TO BE A GREAT FIT FOR HIS MUSICAL LIFE IN PERFORMANCE, TEACHING, AND LEARNING.

At the age of eight, Jim began his musical studies on piano, begging his parents to allow him to take lessons and learn the repertoire his mother played on the record player(Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart).

The horn adventure came in sixth grade, with the typical challenges. His always supportive father recalls the hideous sounds for the first week. Jim recalls being quite mediocre on horn until 8th grade, when he came under the tutelage of Rick Richards, his junior high and high school band director in Rising City, Nebraska, population 395. Through Rick’s inspiring instruction on horn and piano, Jim became consumed with the world of classical music. Jim recalls the downbeat of the first rehearsal at the Nebraska All-State Orchestra(last chair horn). “We were playing the final movement of Sibelius’ Second Symphony, and from the first note, I knew that orchestral horn playing was to be for the rest of my life. Every time we play Sibelius 2 in the DSSO, I can’t help but cry at that moment, every time”

Jim is also on faculty at UMD as horn instructor and as a performer in the wind and brass chamber ensembles. Particularly, Jim enjoys playing in the faculty wind quintet, performing full recitals each semester. The ensemble frequently performs newer works in addition to the standard wind quintet repertoire. He enjoys teaching the horn studio and brass techniques at UMD.

One of Jim’s busiest and enjoyable jobs is as Music Director of Peace United Church of Christ. He began as pianist and organist in 1997, eventually becoming Music Director, including choral conducting. Duties include not only playing piano, organ, and choral conducting, but a little guitar, bass, and even some composition. There are dozens of talented musicians to work with, ranging from young amateurs to colleagues from the DSSO. Jim finds the church environment highly rewarding, in that much of the work is collaborative and positive.

In the wee hours, Jim can also be found satisfying his rock and roll desires with playing keyboards for “A Band Called Truman”. The band plays at several local establishments, playing mostly high energy originals. “Nothing like playing a profound DSSO concert to be followed by a loud, sweaty rock band gig after hours. What a life!”