Meet Our Director, James P. LeBon

 

Mr. LeBon, a native of Pennsylvania, attended twelve years of Catholic school before enrolling at FSU in 1977. During his time there, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in music education while studying clarinet with Harry Schmidt and Ted Lane, and arranging with Charlie Carter. Mr. LeBon went on to earn his Master’s degree in Music Education in 1993.

After completing his studies, Mr. LeBon worked as a high school band director in northern Florida and southern Georgia for fourteen years before moving to Port St. Lucie nineteen years ago. He taught at Dan McCarty Middle School for eleven years and Southport Middle School for nine years, until recently retiring. Throughout his career, Mr. LeBon's students achieved numerous superiors and excellent ratings, of which he is incredibly proud.

Mr. LeBon is an adjudicator at FBA concerts and solo and ensemble events. He is also an arranger and has his own publishing company, Emperor Music Press, which produces works for marching band ensembles, as well as solo and ensemble pieces. Mr. LeBon and his wife started the company in 2004 to provide quality solo and ensemble works for younger musicians. The company currently has eighty-five pieces on the solo and ensemble list of Florida, sixty-five pieces on the Maryland solo and ensemble list, and eleven pieces on the New York solo and ensemble list.

 

In his free time, Mr. LeBon plays clarinet and bass clarinet with the Port St. Lucie Community Band and the Stuart Community Concert Band. He is currently playing baritone sax with the Ambassadors of Swing and also plays bass clarinet with the Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble in Vero Beach every June. Additionally, he has experience playing pit orchestra jobs in the local community and is involved in holiday music-making at Holy Family Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie.

Mr. LeBon is quoted as saying, "A band is only as good as its members and that a great band has great players.  I think a community band needs to be an adult organization and play music that will attract a mature crowd. Quality literature attracts quality players to the band. A community band has to be fun for its members and a concert draw for the community.  It needs to seek out venues where its talents are appreciated and the band needs to be visible in the community.

 

 "Band members need to be recruited and current band members need to bring their friends to rehearsal to take a test drive in playing with a group once again."