James E. Clemens

James E. Clemens (b. 1966) lives in the Shenandoah Valley of northwest Virginia. His compositions – including works for choir, orchestra, piano, strings, brass, voice, and various ensembles – have roots in folk song, jazz, music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and the works of Beethoven, Brahms, Copland, and Vaughan Williams.

He has received commissions and awards from the American Composers Forum, the New England String Ensemble, the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Goshen College, and other schools, ensembles, and soloists.

Jim’s favorite projects are commissions that bring him into collaboration with the artists who will be performing his works. To paraphrase Alice Parker, it’s easier to host a banquet when you know who your guests will be!

In addition to composing, Jim provides music engraving services for companies and individuals. He also enjoys playing viola and mandolin, reading, cooking, bird-watching raising monarch butterflies, and making music at home with his family. He is married to Angie Clemens, who teaches grade school music. Their two children, Alex and Lena, were born in Russia.

While attending Goshen College in northern Indiana, he played violin in the orchestra, sang with the Chamber Choir, studied organ, played piano with the jazz band, served as accompanist for choirs and soloists, performed on recorders and other Renaissance instruments with the Early Music Consort, and took er-hu lessons in china.