James Kazik composer / arranger

As an arranger and orchestrator, his arrangements have been performed not only by all of the various elements of "Pershing's Own", but also by various groups to include the National Symphony Orchestra, and recorded by Joseph Alessi and the Juiliard Trombone Choir, as heard on Alessi's recording Return to Sorrento. He is also a staff writer for Hal Leonard Corp in their string department, writing pop arrangements and compositions for easy string ensembles.

As a composer, his works, particularly those for trombone, continue to win acclaim both in the U.S. and abroad. He is currently composer-in-residence for the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic in Washington D.C.

Mr. Kazik has written several concerti and solo works, as well as various works for orchestra, brass ensemble, and wind ensemble, performed by such groups as The University of North Texas Wind Symphony, and the Wind Ensembles of The University of Minnesota and Oklahoma State University. Most recently, his wind band orchestration of his Concerto for Trombone, and new composition Eviler Elves was featured by the OSU Wind Ensemble at the 2009 CBDNA National Conference in Austin, TX.

As a trombonist, Mr. Kazik was a finalist in the 2000 Minnesota Orchestra-Zellmer Competition. He was part of the 1998 Remington Trombone choir winner and was a member of the "Bravura" trombone octet, which won 2 consecutive Downbeat Magazine awards for "Best Classical Chamber Ensemble" in 1999 and 2000.'