Dr. James Colonna received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University in 2007.  He is the Conductor of the Wind Symphony at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He served as the director of bands at Laramie County Community College from 2001-2005.  Prior to joining the faculty at LCCC, he was a conducting graduate assistant at the University of North Texas where he earned his master of music performance degree in wind conducting. 

For the last 10 years Colonna has been a frequent guest conductor throughout the United States were he has premiered many of his own compositions.  As a trumpet performer, he performed with the 113th Army Band, the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony, the Night Flight and Jim Colonna Big Band, Voices of Unity and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

In 1996, he began his career as a composer and has composed more than 16 original compositions, of which 12 have been published by Larry Daehn Music, C-Alan Publications, and Masters Music.  He has received many commissions to create unique works for large concert ensembles, most recently a commission from the Michigan State University Symphony Band and New England Music Camp titled "7". Colonna also premiered an orchestra composition Glee! with 2005 Wyoming All-State Orchestra.  He has been recognized by fellow composers including Cindy McTee, Michael Colgrass, Michael Torke, Joel Puckett, Steven Bryant and Jack Stamp.  Torke remarks on Illusions (a work for winds and percussion):  “Mr. Colonna's music is artistic even though composed for young high school band, his music is honest and deserves repeat performances.”  Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass states: “Illusions is a wonderful addition to the band world, it contains magnificent scoring throughout.”  Recently Colonna's compositions have been performed across the globe in the UK, Canada, Japan, Belgium, and Finland.

Currently Jim is working on a work for trumpet solo and chamber ensemble, transcribing a work by Ligeti for concert band, and a new work, also for band based on Beatles Lyrics.

As a conductor, Colonna has released a CD with the LCCC Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, Wind Dancer.  Norman Dello Joio, Sammy Nestico, and H. Robert Reynolds have granted critical acclaim for this release of their music.  “The Wind Symphony's performance of my variants will be placed among those of the very fine,” stated Norman Dello Joio, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer.  “We can help change the world one note at a time,” said Sammy Nestico. H. Robert Reynolds was “appreciative of how well taken care of my music was under Jim Colonna.”