James A. Beckel, Jr.

James Arthur Beckel, Jr. (born July 16, 1948) is a contemporary American composer and musician best known for his contemporary compositions as well as his association with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where he was principal trombonist from 1969 to 2018. His compositions have been performed and recorded by the Baltimore, Atlanta, Indianapolis Symphonies, Ft. Wayne Philharmonic, United States Air Force Band, the DC Air Force Orchestra, and many other nationally-recognized orchestras throughout the United States.

Beckel is married, has two children, and is a member of the Carmel Brass Choir. Beckel maintains a trombone and euphonium studio at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

Works List

Toccata for Orchestra

In the Mind’s Eye

Glass Bead Game

Fantasy after Schubert

Liberty for All

American Dream

Gardens of Stone

A Christmas Fanfare

Symphony for Band

I Am the American Flag

Waltz of the Animals

Night Visions

Musica Mobilis

A Gospel Christmas

Inaugural Fanfare

Overture for a New Age

Make a Joyful Noise

Celebrations

Portraits

Musical Masque (for the Seasons)

Music for Winds, Piano, and Percussion

Imagination

Sonata for Trumpet and Organ

American Journey

String Quartet No. 1

Concerto for Tuba and Percussion

Lament for Two Trombones

Primitive Modern

Lost Dreams and Rainy Days

Three Sketches for Orchestra

Christmas Medley for Brass Septet

Amazing Grace

Freedom’s Hope

The Long Dream

Intrada

They’re Playing our SongJames Beckel, “Other Pieces,” Jim Beckel Music. http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/Content/Pieces/Miscellaneous.htm#Concerto for Tuba and Percussion (accessed October 7, 2012).

References

External links

*Beckel, James A., Kent L. Leslie, Thomas Harvey, Sheryll McManus, Wendy Muston, Tom Akins, Kirk Trevor, and Lewis J. Buckley. Musica mobilis music for brass. Indianapolis, IN: WMG. CD. 2001.
*Beckel Jr., James. A. “James A. Beckel Jr., Composer.” InstantEncore. http://www.instantencore.com/contributor/contributor.aspx?CId=5001312 (accessed October 8, 2012).
*Beckel, Jim, and Sheryll McManus. The Glass Bead Game: Concerto for Horn and Orchestra. Milwaukee, WI. H. Leonard Corp. CD. 2001.
*Beckel, Jim, and Sylvia Patterson-Scott. In the Mind's Eye: Images for Horns and Orchestra. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Corp, 2010.
*Berns, Paul. “Orchestra Librarians – the answer – the Jim Beckel premier.” Blog by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. https://archive.today/20131004051054/http://blog.indianapolissymphony.org/blog/the-word-cool/orchestra-librarians-the-answer-the-jim-beckel-premier (accessed October 8, 2012).
*Layendecker, Dennis M. Holiday Traditions. USAF Symphony Orchestra and Singing Sergeants. Altissimo Records. CD. 2007.
*Menkhaus, Renée. "In the Mind's Eye: A Konzertstück for the New Millennium." Horn Call: Journal of the International Horn Society 41, no. 1 (October 2010): 108. Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed October 7, 2012).
*Paré, Craig. Airs and Dances. DePauw University Band. Mark Custom Recording Service: CD. 2000.
*Paré, Craig. Starsplitter. DePauw University Band. Mark Custom Recording Service. CD. 2008.
*Patterson, Merlin. "Beckel The Glass Bead Game, McAllister Black Dog, Maslanka Trombone Concerto." Fanfare: The Magazine For Serious Record Collectors 35, no. 2 (November 2011): 343-344. Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed October 7, 2012).
*Ritter, Steven. “Perspectives: Sound & Rhythm." Fanfare: The Magazine For Serious Record Collectors 30, no. 5 (May 2007): 266-267. Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed October 7, 2012).

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beckel, James A. Jr.
1948 births
Living people
American male composers
21st-century American composers
21st-century American male musicians