James Estes

Music Specialist - Music Educator

James Estes joined the Society staff as Student Activities Coordinator in June, 2006. In this position, he is the liasion to the Society's Youth In Harmony Committee, and coordinates the Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest and International Youth Barbershop Chorus Festival. He also assists with the organization of approximately 65 Youth In Harmony workshops and camps throughout the Society each year, and frequently travels as a teacher and clinician. In addition, he teaches courses in chorus directing, music theory, and vocal techniques at Harmony University. A member of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 2000, Estes has sung with the Fox Valleyaires in Appleton, Wis., the Great Northern Union in Hilltop, Minn., the 2006 5th place International Medalist Midwest Vocal Express in Greendale, Wis., where he was assistant director, and currently is a member of the Nashville Music City Chorus. He also directed the Pride Of The Valley Chorus in Appleton, Wis., winning a “Most Improved Chorus” award, two division championships, and a district “Small Chorus” championship. Estes sang in the collegiate quartet contest seven times, before singing lead with the 2007 International semi-finalist quartet, Voices Only, and baritone with quarter-finalist quartet The Real McCoy.  He is also a certified judge for the Society in the Singing Category. Estes received his bachelor’s degree in choral music education from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in 2003. He had the privilege of studying conducting with Rick Bjella and Bridget-Michaele Reischl, and voice with Rico Serbo and John Koopman. He has also worked with and learned from Gunther Schuler, Doreen Rao, Jean Ashworth Bartle, Dominique-René de Lerma, and Randy Swiggum. Until his Society staff appointment, Estes had been choral director at Fond du Lac High School in Wisconsin, directing two choirs and an extra-curricular madrigal/vocal jazz ensemble. He also taught courses in music theory and composition, as well as maintained a studio of private voice students. Estes directed the Fond du Lac Children’s Chorale, an auditioned community children’s choir of 40 in grades 5-8. You can reach Estes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-876-7464, extension 4124.

Curriculum Vitae

James Estes is a Music Educator for the Barbershop Harmony Society. He travels throughout the country as a teacher and clinician for workshops, Harmony Explosion Camps, and Youth In Harmony festivals. His goal is to educate students and help enrich music programs by showing the countless benefits that barbershop and a cappella singing can provide.

Estes received his bachelor’s degree in choral music education from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in 2003. While there, he had the privilege of studying conducting with Rick Bjella and Bridget-Michaele Reischl, and voice with Rico Serbo and John Koopman. He has also worked with and learned from Gunther Schuler, Doreen Rao, Jean Ashworth Bartle, Dominique-René de Lerma, and Randy Swiggum.

Estes regularly conducts clinics for high school and university music programs. His presentations include an emphasis on vocal production, stylistic characteristics of barbershop harmony, and how singing barbershop can have a positive effect on the lives of students and the music programs in their schools.