Jim Tempest – Director of Music

Photo: David Roberts A.R.P.S.

Jim Tempest joined the Delta Community Band as musical director in the fall of 2006. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Jim grew up near Pouce Coupe in northern British Columbia and moved to New Westminster just prior to entering high school. After high school graduation, Jim attended Douglas College to study music and transferred to Western Washington University in Bellingham to complete his degree. Following university, Jim moved to London, England to continue his musical studies with some of Britain’s finest trombonists and to soak up the culture in one of the world’s greatest cities. He has been active as a professional musician and educator since his return to Canada from England in 1984 and has worked with all kinds of musical groups from a touring brass ensemble to jazz and symphony orchestras. In 1994, Jim returned to university to attend graduate school. He successfully defended his thesis and was awarded a Master of Arts Degree in Music Education in the fall of 1995.

Throughout his career, Jim has been an active member of the Fifteenth Field Regiment Band, the premiere band of Canada’s Army Reserve. As a member of this band, he has toured Canada from coast to coast to coast and performed in the United States, Europe and Asia. In 1998, he assumed the position of Bandmaster, the senior non commissioned position in the band. Since 2004, he has been the principal conductor of the band as well.

Jim brings a love of music for winds to the Delta Community Band. He believes bands provide everyone the opportunity to enjoy in the creation of music and that they provide a vital source of community spirit that other activities can not supply. To that end, he works to encourage the growth of community based music making through active membership in the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the Canadian Band Association and the British Columbia Band Association.