Jim DeBusman

Music Specialist Quartet Development

Jim DeBusman is a Music Specialist for the Barbershop Harmony Society. He oversees quartet promotion and development, coordinates the activities of the Society's volunteer Music & Performance Vice Presidents and is staff liaison for the Music & Performance Committee. Jim is a clinician for numerous Youth In Harmony festivals, Society workshops and clinics held throughout the Society. DeBusman also coordinates vocal techniques and sound management instruction throughout the 30,000-member organization. In addition, he is the Quartet College coaching coordinator and sound management and vocal techniques facilitator at the Society's Harmony University. A Society member since 1969, DeBusman joined the Society staff in June 1985. He sang tenor with the 1982 Evergreen District champion, The Cascade Connection, and was selected to the Evergreen District’s Hall of Fame in 1996. He has competed twice in an international quartet contest and thirteen times in the chorus contest. DeBusman just retired as the vocal coach and lead of the Midwest Vocal Express, the Society's 2002, 2003 and 2006 international bronze medal chorus. He is also just retired as the musical director of the Racine Dairy Statesmen barbershop chorus. Jim received the Land O’ Lakes “Friendship” Award in 1997. DeBusman received a bachelor of arts degree in music education from Portland State University and a master of music degree in conducting and performance from Pacific Lutheran University. He was a high school choral director for 19 years, an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon for five years and has taught voice for more than 40 years. A certified Singing judge and former member of the board of review for that category, he has coached choruses and quartets throughout the world. DeBusman has three married children and three grandsons, Christopher, Noah and Jacob. He and his wife, Barbara, now live in Nashville, Tenn. Jim can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 800.876.7464, extension 4125.

Curriculum Vitae

Jim DeBusman is a music specialist for the Barbershop Harmony Society, and he conducts clinics, concerts and workshops throughout the United States, Canada and abroad for the international organization.

DeBusman earned a bachelor of arts degree in music education from Portland State University and a master of music degree in conducting and performance from Pacific Lutheran University. He served as choral director at South Eugene High School in Oregon for 19 years, during which time his choirs won numerous festivals at the state, regional, and national levels.

He was an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon for five years, as well as a graduate teaching fellow at Pacific Lutheran University. Vocally, Jim was a semi-finalist with the Metropolitan Opera Regional Competitions and has been a tenor/counter-tenor soloist. He also has been an active member of the MENC/ACDA and NAJE for a number of years.

DeBusman is a vocal pedagogue for the Barbershop Harmony Society. His enthusiastic presentations include: basic vocal production and warm-up techniques; learning about the younger singer’s unchanged, changing and changed voices; coaching choirs using their own literature to transfer the vocal concepts demonstrated and learning about the importance of keeping music in your life, all of your life

Here is what some colleagues have to say about DeBusman’s work in the classroom:

“The quality of Jim DeBusman’s presentations was outstanding. The information presented was practical and easily understood by the choir students involved. I would like to have Jim do a more extensive vocal workshop next year or any time that he is in our area.” Beth Weller, Mercer HS, Director of Vocal Music, Mercer, Pennsylvania.

“We are so lucky to have Jim DeBusman working for the Society. He visited my chapter last week…He complimented the chorus, of course, but more important, he challenged them. He quickly got everyone to understand how they can improve their vocal contribution to the chorus. He also worked hard to help some of our individual singers improve their singing abilities…A great job!” Dr. Rob Hopkins, Dean of Students, Hamilton University, Clinton, New York.