James A. Moyer, DMA
Associate Professor of Music
Director of Bands
234 Williams Center for the Arts
Lafayette College
610-330-5359
Office Hours: M, W - 10:00-12:00 & T, TH - 1:00-3:00NOW AVAILABLE AT THE LAFAYETTE COLLEGE STORE
Dr. Moyer's Solo marimba recording - "Something Old. Something New"
Dr. James Moyer joined the Lafayette faculty in July 2004 as the college's first full-time Director of Bands. In addition to directing the Pep Band and Concert Band, Dr. Moyer will be focusing on expanding the curriculum in music technology.A graduate of Shamokin Area High School, Moyer completed his Bachelor of Music Education degree at Susquehanna University, where he was twice named timpanist of the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band. He completed the MM and DMA degrees from the University of Oklahoma under the direction of Dr. Richard Gipson. Long considered one of the top college percussion programs in the U.S., O.U. was among the first college percussion ensembles to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 1985 and has performed since at virtually every major music convention in the country. As a member of the O.U. Percussion Orchestra, Dr. Moyer not only performed at the first PASIC in 1985, but was featured soloist on the groups debut CD, "Laser Woodcuts". This critically acclaimed recording was the first of its kind released by any college percussion ensemble.
In 1986, Moyer became Director of Percussion Studies and Assistant Director of Bands at Millikin University in Illinois. During his twelve year tenure, he built one of the largest and most respected percussion programs in the Midwest, which included a total of twenty-four percussion students, three ensembles and the very popular Millikin Marimba Band. Having been an integral part of building the size of the music department in excess of 300 music majors by 1998, Moyer was promoted twice and eventually served as Chairman of Performance Studies. He was also in high demand throughout the region as an adjudicator, guest conductor and guest clinician. He performs exclusively on custom built Demorrow keyboard percussion instruments.
In 1998, he left the teaching field to move into a sales career in technology, first working as a Sales Agent contracted through Apple Computer, and in 2000 was brought to Apple directly to cover major university accounts in the Northeast. Following four successful years in the technology sales field, Dr. Moyer was hired as Marywood University's first Administrator of Music. His mission was to guide the department through major curricular and structural changes within the university and build the size and recognition of the music program. During this period, enrollment in the graduate program increased from eight to thirty-two students, major revisions were made to both undergraduate and graduate curriculum and the freshman class of 2004 is one of the largest ever.
Professionally, Moyer has released a solo recording of music for marimba, has published numerous transcriptions and a method book for marimba as well as articles in "Percussive Notes." His vast concert career includes performances with Diane Shuur, Dave Liebman, Steve Allen and Canadian Brass. Currently serving as Timpanist/Keyboard Specialist with the Allentown Band, America's Oldest Civilian Band, and served as first call Timpanist with the Allentown Symphony, Dr. Moyer performs in excess of fifty concerts each year.
