Jim Baxter, Director
A graduate of the University of Minnesota (BMed, 2007) and VanderCook College of Music (MMed, 2016), Mr. Baxter is currently in
his sixteenth year of teaching instrumental music at Princeton High School. At PHS, Mr. Baxter conducts three curricular ensembles as well as two extracurricular jazz bands. Under his direction the PHS bands have grown in membership by over thirty percent, and have garnered consecutive superior ratings at MSHSL contest, performed at the MMEA Midwinter Clinic, and shared concerts with multiple collegiate ensembles. He places great emphasis on solo/ensemble literature, each year averaging over seventy entries at the section level.
In addition to his work at the high school, Mr. Baxter has directed the University of Minnesota Gopher Pep Band and Centennial Community Band. He currently serves as Commander and Bandmaster of the Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band. He has also been a section leader and performer with the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music program. Mr. Baxter has presented sessions on chamber music as well as young teacher transition/preparation at conferences of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and Minnesota Chapter of CMENC. He is also the 2019 Recipient of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) Distinguished Young Director Award.
Mr. Baxter is currently active as a clinician and guest conductor and is a member of ASBDA, MMEA, MBDA, NAfME, and Education Minnesota. He lives in Princeton, MN with his wife Krystal and their daughters Emma and Arrow.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota (BMed, 2007) and VanderCook College of Music (MMed, 2016), Mr. Baxter is currently in
his sixteenth year of teaching instrumental music at Princeton High School. At PHS, Mr. Baxter conducts three curricular ensembles as well as two extracurricular jazz bands. Under his direction the PHS bands have grown in membership by over thirty percent, and have garnered consecutive superior ratings at MSHSL contest, performed at the MMEA Midwinter Clinic, and shared concerts with multiple collegiate ensembles. He places great emphasis on solo/ensemble literature, each year averaging over seventy entries at the section level.
In addition to his work at the high school, Mr. Baxter has directed the University of Minnesota Gopher Pep Band and Centennial Community Band. He currently serves as Commander and Bandmaster of the Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band. He has also been a section leader and performer with the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music program. Mr. Baxter has presented sessions on chamber music as well as young teacher transition/preparation at conferences of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and Minnesota Chapter of CMENC. He is also the 2019 Recipient of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) Distinguished Young Director Award.
Mr. Baxter is currently active as a clinician and guest conductor and is a member of ASBDA, MMEA, MBDA, NAfME, and Education Minnesota. He lives in Princeton, MN with his wife Krystal and their daughters Emma and Arrow.