Guest Conductors

Dr. James Chesebrough received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and his subsequent degrees in conducting from the University of Connecticut. As a graduate student, he served as the assistant conductor of the University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble. For twenty-six years Dr. Chesebrough was a Band Director in the public schools of Ohio and New Hampshire. In 1998 the New Hampshire Band Directors’ Association honored him as their “Outstanding Band Director of the Year” and in 2014 the National Federation of State High School Associations named Chesebrough as an “Outstanding Music Educator.” In 2024, Dr. Chesebrough was inducted into the New Hampshire Music Educators Association (NHMEA) Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished professional career.

Dr. Chesebrough has been a guest conductor with many school honor bands at festivals throughout New England, was the Visiting Music Director for the Yale University Bands in 2005-2006, and became a full professor and director of the Concert Band at Keene State College from 2006 until his retirement in 2018. From 2018-2023, Dr. Chesebrough conducted The Winchendon Winds, a professional ensemble in Winchendon, MA, and he now conducts two historic 19th-century bands; The Newmont Military Band and the Yankee Brass Band. He has arranged period music for these and other ensembles including the Centennial Brass Band of Portland, ME.

As a trombonist, Dr. Chesebrough has performed with the American Trombone Choir in St. Petersburg, Russia; the International Trombone Festival Weekend Warriors Trombone Choir in Helsinki, Finland; the International Trombone Festival William F. Cramer Trombone Choir in Utrecht, The Netherlands; the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra, the Lakes Region Symphony, and numerous big bands throughout New England.