1919 – 2006
Dr. James H. Winter is a legend in Music Education and Performance. Following his service in the Navy, Dr. Winter became a Professor at CSU Fresno in 1947 (then Fresno State College) teaching all brass instruments and nearly all the areas of music curriculum as well as Physics of Sound. During this time he also earned his PhD. from the University of Iowa. He was Chair of the Music Department (1973-76) and Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities (1966-68), and was awarded Outstanding Professor (1982).
At CSUF Fresno, Dr. Winter taught a stream of horn students who went on to perform in major symphonies in the U.S. and many who became Professors in major music conservatories. He formed the CSUF President’s Quintet which represented CSUF’s Music Department, winning many competitions. He also composed and published works for horn and also for orchestra along with numerous pedagogical publications.
Dr. Winter was renowned in North America and Europe in the horn community as a teacher and a performer. He was President (1982-86), Editor (1972-76), and Advisory council member (1972-76 and 1980-86) of the International Horn Society. He also performed locally in the Fresno Philharmonic for 40 years, including as Principal Horn for 33 of those years. Most of those years the entire brass section was composed of his students. He was a founding member of the orchestra and also served on the Board and as Assistant Conductor. He was Principal Horn in several other orchestras in California as well as performing in a professional woodwind quintet, the California Quintet.
His classes, lectures, and workshops always had students on the edge of their seats. His enthusiasm for the horn was contagious. Dr. Winter’s legacy left an indelible mark on generations of students from our Valley and throughout the international connections of horn players.