Clinics
What I can provide for your choir
I would love to share my enthusiasm for teaching choral music with your students. I will use my 35+ years of experience to reinforce the great things that you are already doing in your classroom and provide a different set of eyes and ears to listen to and critique your students, often saying the same things that you say every day. We all know how that works! I will bring energy and excitement to your classroom and provide a positive spark that you can draw upon as the year goes by. I will also give you my interpretation of pieces or help to fine tune ideas that you already have about your repertoire. My goal is for you and your students to come away from our time together excited about singing and the pieces that you are performing. My retirement from full-time teaching allows me to work with students and directors throughout the state. It would be an honor to work with you. My fee is negotiable and based on your budget.
My experience as a choir director
Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Littleton HS
2006 finalist, CHSAA Vocal Jazz Festival, Colorado
2005 CMEA Conference
2001 CMEA Conference
1998 4th Place, Reno Jazz Festival
1995 finalist, CHSAA Vocal Jazz Festival, Colorado
1994 finalist, CHSAA Vocal Jazz Festival, Colorado
Chamber Choir, Littleton HS
2011 CMEA Convention
1994 CMEA Convention
Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Greeley Central HS
1990 National School Board Association Convention,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Chamber Choir, Greeley Central HS
1987 CMEA Conference
Individual Student Honors
164 students in Colorado All-State Choir
48 students in Colorado All-State Jazz Choir
52 students in the Regional or National
American Choral Directors Association Honor Choirs
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Madeline Gardner
Choir Director at Prarie View HS
We had Jim out for our Middle School/High School Choir Festival in 27J Schools, where our main goal is to recruit 8th graders to continue with choir in HS. Jim was able to access and speak to the wide range of ages/ability levels we had within our group, making sure that all felt included, and offering pedagogical tips and tricks to beginners in choir as well as our more experienced kids. My students enjoyed Jim's fun, laid-back approach, as well as the music he picked, especially because it was in a pop/jazz style. If you're looking for a seasoned director with lots of experience in the pop/jazz style, Jim is your guy!
Nicole Steketee
Choir Director at Loveland HS
We had such a great time with Jim Farrell! He came and worked with our jazz choir on a couple of tunes coming up for our concert! He is awesome! Get him in for your groups!
Thalia Burd
Choir Director at Holy Family HS
Jim Farrell was our adjudicator and clinician at the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival last year, and his nurturing enthusiasm helped my students to grow as jazz artists. He is a fantastic musician, an expert at vocal jazz, and an inspiration to all! Thank you Jim!