FLORENCE, AL, November 13, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present James K. Simpson, D.A.Mus, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Simpson celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
In 1973, Dr. Simpson joined the faculty of music at the University of North Alabama as the assistant band director and woodwind instructor. Teaching applied woodwinds and music education for 34 years, he also served at the University of North Alabama as chairman of the music department between 1974 and 2007. Under his leadership, Dr. Simpson notably facilitated the department in becoming an accredited member of the prestigious National Association of Schools of Music in 1986. He retired from the University of North Alabama in 2007.
Dr. Simpson previously worked in Mississippi as a band director for the Union Public Schools between 1962 and 1963 and as an assistant band director and then band director for the Canton Public Schools between 1964 and 1970. While employed with Canton Public Schools, the Canton High School Band received excellent and superior ratings at the Mississippi State Band Festival and found success as the winner of the first annual Six Flags Over Georgia Concert Competition in the AAA division in 1969.
Dr. Simpson has been the recipient of several awards over the years. He obtained the Shoals Area Band Director's Association Service Award in 2003 and an Educational Leadership Award from the University of North Alabama in 2000. Included in Outstanding Young Men of America in 1977 and the International Who's Who in Music and Musician's Directory, Dr. Simpson has also been cited in the 60th edition of Who's Who in America. He was listed in "Outstanding Educators of America" in 1975, and Who's Who Among American Teachers in 2004. He was inducted in 2008 into the inaugural class of the Alabama Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. Dr. Simpson holds professional memberships in National Association for Music Education, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
A longstanding member and former president of the Alabama Music Educators Association (1994-96), Dr. Simpson was also a member and former president of the Association of Alabama College Music Administrators and a member of the National Association for Music Education and former President of Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu., International Bandmasters Fraternity. He is a charter member of the Shoals Area Big Band, where he has played lead alto saxophone and clarinet since 1980. He has also been a featured clarinet/saxophone soloist with the University of North Alabama Concert and Jazz Bands, the UNA Invitational Honor Band and several regional high school bands. Dr. Simpson was selected to perform as part of the University of North Alabama Distinguished Events Series in January 2008.
Earlier in his career, while residing in Mississippi, Dr. Simpson performed in the Hattiesburg, Tupelo, Meridian and Jackson Symphony Orchestras. He was selected to be a featured soloist with the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra and the University of Mississippi Concert Band. Furthermore, he was a concert director for the Mississippi Lions All State Band for two years. Highly influenced by Dr. John M. Long, his high school band director and the late Robert L. Jordan (his mentor), Dr. Simpson has earned a Bachelor of Arts in music education at the University of Southern Mississippi and Master of Music and Doctor of Arts in Music at the University of Mississippi. Simpson served honorably in the Alabama Air National Guard from 1963-64 and in the Mississippi Army National Guard from 1964-69.
Dr. Simpson and his late wife Gloria McMullan Simpson have two daughters, Lynn Huffman and Leslie Meeks. He has eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. Dr. Simpson is married to Jena Morris-Simpson who has one daughter, Jess.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, James K. Simpson, D.A.Mus, has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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