James Klages

Dr. James L. Klages is a professor of trumpet at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he teaches trumpet and directs the UCO Trumpet Choir. Prior to coming to Oklahoma, he had the honor of being the only person in the 20th Century to be directly hired as the Cornet soloist by “The Presidents’ Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, DC.

He has played solos throughout the United States with bands and orchestras, and as been featured as soloist at many national band conferences and conventions. Since leaving the Marine Band, he has continued his solo career throughout the continental United States, and the Middle East. In 1996, he was chosen to be the trumpet soloist for the historic first performance of Handel’s Messiah given in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Israel.

He is an active trumpet soloist and clinician. Most recently, he and the UCO Trumpet Choir performed for the International Trumpet Guild convention in Denver, Colorado.

He received his Bachelors Degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia, and his Masters and Doctorate from Indiana University, Bloomington.

His teachers have included James F. Burke, Dr. William B. Dederer, Charles Gorham, Edmund Cord, and John Rommel.