Professor of Music James A Holleman is currently in his 28th year as Music Director of Orchestras and Choirs for the John E.N. & Dede Howard Department of Music at Hillsdale College (MI). He is the current Music Director of the Hillsdale Arts Chorale, appointed to the position in the fall of 2022. He served for 25 years as Music Department Chairman, from 1997-2022, and as the Director of the Hillsdale College Professional Artists Series (PAS).
During his tenure, the Music Department and ensembles grew to new heights in all areas. Currently, over twenty-five percent of the entire student body participates in music department ensembles; one-third of the campus participates in the Music Department in some capacity.
The Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra, under his baton, was selected to perform at the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) 2017 National Conference in Washington, DC. The orchestra was awarded Second Prize in the 2018 American Prize College Orchestra Division.
Additionally, Holleman was named as a finalist in the 2018 American Prize University/College Orchestral Conducting Category, for which he received a special judges’ citation for “Artistic Success in Exceptional Repertoire.”
Under his direction, the Hillsdale College Chamber Choir, formed in 1998 by Holleman, has performed in numerous venues across the country and in various featured performances on campus and across Michigan. Both the Chamber Choir and the College Choir (the oldest established college choir in the state of Michigan) have recorded multiple CD recordings and provided recordings for several Hillsdale College promotional videos.
He is the Past President of the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) having previously served as President, Vice President, President Elect, and National Chair of Membership. Professor Holleman is twice a graduate of Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Music Degree in French Horn Performance (1986) and a Master of Music Degree in Orchestral Conducting (1989). Prior to his appointment at Hillsdale College, he was the Assistant Conductor of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Jackson Chorale (MI).
During his tenure, the Music Department and ensembles grew to new heights in all areas. Currently, over twenty-five percent of the entire student body participates in music department ensembles; one-third of the campus participates in the Music Department in some capacity.
The Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra, under his baton, was selected to perform at the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) 2017 National Conference in Washington, DC. The orchestra was awarded Second Prize in the 2018 American Prize College Orchestra Division.
Additionally, Holleman was named as a finalist in the 2018 American Prize University/College Orchestral Conducting Category, for which he received a special judges’ citation for “Artistic Success in Exceptional Repertoire.”
Under his direction, the Hillsdale College Chamber Choir, formed in 1998 by Holleman, has performed in numerous venues across the country and in various featured performances on campus and across Michigan. Both the Chamber Choir and the College Choir (the oldest established college choir in the state of Michigan) have recorded multiple CD recordings and provided recordings for several Hillsdale College promotional videos.
He is the Past President of the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) having previously served as President, Vice President, President Elect, and National Chair of Membership. Professor Holleman is twice a graduate of Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Music Degree in French Horn Performance (1986) and a Master of Music Degree in Orchestral Conducting (1989). Prior to his appointment at Hillsdale College, he was the Assistant Conductor of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Jackson Chorale (MI).