James W. Shaw holds a BME from Valdosta State University, MST from Georgia Southern
University and his EdS from Columbus State University. Mr. Shaw recently retired in
May 2015 after 34 years in public school education as a high school band director.
His first position from 1981 until 1991 was in the Appling County School system in
southeast Georgia where he served as both junior high and high school director. From
1991 until 2015 he served as director of bands at Houston County High School in Warner
Robins, Georgia. He has served as adjudicator in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina
in both concert and marching band festivals and competitions. He was selected Georgia
Music Educator of the year in 2010 and Georgia Music Educators Volunteer of the year
in 2011. He is past GA president of the National Band Director’s Fraternity Phi Beta
Mu. His is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha and an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma.
Mr. Shaw and his wife of 33 years, Julia Nell have three children. Catheryn Shaw,
a graduate of Columbus State Schwob School of Music; who is currently a doctoral student
at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Claire Fermin who is married to Jeremy
Fermin, director of bands at Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, GA. And Jim Shaw who
is currently a music major at Auburn University.