Dr. James C. Lebens, Professor of Brass Instruments, Laval University, Quebec
American trombonist, conductor and educator Dr. James C. Lebens holds a Bachelor of Music as well as a Master of Music degree from the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York where he studied with Dr. Per Brevig, principal trombone of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Following two years of residency at the Banff Festival of Fine Arts collaborating with numerous world class musicians, Dr. Lebens began teaching at the University of Washington while earning a Doctorate in Musical Arts from this institution, studying with contemporary trombone authority Stuart Dempster. Dr. Lebens was appointed Professor of Brass Instruments at Laval University, Quebec City, in 2003. He is a founding member of the Laval University Brass Quintet and the Quebec Wind and Percussion Ensemble, both being ensembles in residence at Laval University. Also active as a jazz musician, Dr. Lebens is lead trombone and has recorded with the jazz orchestra l’Orchestre Roland Martel, Quebec’s longest running jazz ensemble. He has recorded as soloist and chamber musician on the labels ATMA, MIREs, and SNE among others, has been heard on numerous broadcasts by the Société Radio-Canada, and has performed as solist with orchestras and wind ensembles across Canada. In the summer of 2006 he will be recording for Albany Records the works of Eric Ewazen for trombone and piano in collaboration with the composer, which will include works written specifically for him. Upcoming projects also include a recording of the T-Bone Concerto by Johann de Meij with the Quebec Wind and Percussion Ensemble on the ATMA label. At Laval University, Dr. Lebens is conductor of several ensembles at Laval University, including the trombone, trumpet and brass ensembles, as well as the contemporary music ensemble which he founded. His conducting activities include stage bands and concert bands at summer programs such as CAMMAC and Camp Kamouraska, both in Quebec, as well as invitations to conduct from prestigious ensembles such as Erreur du type 17. Dr. Lebens is also actively involved with young musicians and has given concerts and workshops across Canada for young audiences through the auspices of Music and Youth of Canada. As an adjudicator, he has judged for many years at the Sherbrooke Provincial Band Festival (Festival des harmonies de Sherbrooke), American band festivals such as Rhythms International, and the prestigious Clermont-Pépin Competition. Dr. Lebens is recognized as an expert in the field of contemporary techniques for his instrument.