The Madison Scouts are pleased to announce the appointment of James Sparling as Percussion Director and Arranger. James has been with the Scouts since the 2012 season, recently serving as caption head and arranger. In addition to the Scouts, James is currently the Director of Percussion at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (Michigan) and works with WGI units Infinity Percussion and Redline Percussion.

“James represents a new generation of instructors and arrangers in our activity,” stated Chris Komnick, Executive Director. “His broad range of teaching and performance experiences are in line with our educational mission. Percussionists in our program will get a great educational experience under James’ direction.”

James received his degree in Music Education with a minor in Architecture at Miami University. As a performer, he played tenors with Trinity Indoor Percussion Ensemble (2000), Music City Mystique (2001, WGI World Champions), Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2001), Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2002), and Rhythm X (2003-2004). As an instructor, he taught on the percussion staff for the Glassmen (2003), the Madison Scouts (2004-2006), the Carolina Crown (2007-2008), the Cadets (2009-2011), and RhythmX (2005-2013).

James has taught privately for several years and served as a Percussion Mentor at Tower Heights Middle School (2007), Director of Percussion at Bellbrook HS/MS (2007-2008), Assistant Band Director at Baker MS/Fairborn HS (2010-2011), Director of Percussion at Kettering Fairmont HS (2009-2013), and Director of Percussion at Seminole HS (2013).

James has been heavily involved in the world music ensemble, Global Rhythms, where he served as Percussion Coordinator and Arranger (2004-2006). This ensemble has led him to perform across the globe and work with Grammy winners Glen Velez and Jamal Mohammed, Ghatam Khartick's heARTbeat, Musafir, Jeff Queen, Michael Burritt, Anthony Cirone, Indian film composer A.R. Rahman, Nelly Furtado, and Lenny Kravitz. He continues to perform with this group annually.