James (Jim) Duff composer / arranger

Jim Duff, a native of Newfoundland, holds a diploma of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary, Alberta, a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, and a Masters of Music from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas.

Jim has acted as instructor in trombone, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band Arranging, North American Popular Music and Instrumental Teaching Methods at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Other musical activities include conducting and adjudicating both locally and nationally, and clinics in arranging and concert/jazz band technique. He has served for many years as musical director, performer, composer/arranger, and sound consultant for many CBC radio and television series and specials, and has acted as leader of his own big band for concerts and numerous other occasions. For the past fifteen years, Jim has worked closely with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra as composer, arranger and conductor for their annual Gala and Pops concerts.

He has received awards from MUSICNL, Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Arts and Letters, and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Jim has been awarded commissions by the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, the Atlantic Arts Trio, the Memorial University String Quartet, Kenneth Knowles (associate professor/trombone, Memorial University of Newfoundland), the Avalon East District Honours Band, the Arnprior District High School Band (Ontario), the Henry Gordon Academy (Labrador), the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir, the Memorial Universtity Concert Choir, Lady Cove, Cantus Vocum, the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, Holy Heart of Mary High School Chamber Choir, IXM Divine Ryan's Inc. (movie), Fortis Inc. (East of Canada), Canada Winter Games (opening ceremonies), the Newfoundland Government/CBC (Soiree '99), Cabot 500th Anniversary and CBC national radio (Sunrise Celebration). His compositions and/or arrangements have been performed by symphony orchestras and concert bands in both Canada and the United States, and several of his concert band compositions and arrangements have been published and distributed worldwide by Alfred Publishing Company and Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.