Dr. James March
Applied Piano, Music Theory, Music History
Pianist 

James March holds the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Iowa.  His baccalaureate degree was earned at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.  Dr. March is currently Professor of Piano at Morningside College, a position he has held for the past twenty years.  Prior to coming to Morningside, he served for two years as artist-in-residence at the University of South Carolina-Costal Carolina College.  He has appeared as soloist with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minneapolis Civic Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony, Bloomington-Normal Symphony, as well as the University of Iowa and Morningside College Chamber Orchestras.  His competition first prizes include the Concerto Division of the Piano Guild’s International Recording Competition, the National level of the Federation of Music Clubs Competition, and the Bloomington-Normal Concerto Competition

In 2002, James and his wife, Kathryn March, released a CD (Centaur 2551) of the 21 Hungarian Dances by Brahms for piano four-hands.  It was reviewed by ClassicsToday.com and received a 10/10 rating.  Critic Jed Distler had the following to say:

“A terrific disc.  The James and Kathryn March piano duo’s direct, flexible, forward-moving extroversion gets right to the stylistic and emotional core of these delightful works.  Every rubato breathes in just the right proportion, and the primo part’s slithery grace notes actually seem to bend.  Tempo changes are effected with utter naturalness, and no matter how brisk things go, nothing’s overdriven or rushed.  Put simply, these pianists swing—and sound as if they’re thoroughly enjoying themselves.  What a world of difference compared to Jean-Francois Heisser and Marie-Kosephe Jude’s fussy duetting on Auvidis/Naïve!  Although Centaur’s fine sonics truthfully rank a nine rating, the performances are so yummy that they deserve an 11.  Eleven and nine make 20, and so do “10/10” if you get my drift!”

Dr. March has also recorded three other critically acclaimed discs with saxophonist William Perconti.  In addition to these, his most recent solo recording features piano works by Beethoven, Blacher and Chopin.  He frequently serves as an adjudicator and clinician for festivals and competitions throughout the Midwest.  His principal teachers include Willem Ibes, Robert Koopman and Kenneth Amada.  Both he and his wife are active instrument builders and restorers of antique keyboard instruments.  They are the owners of an extensive collection of unusual period keyboard instruments, each of which they have built or restored. 

 

Discography

 

Johannes Brahms:  The 21 Hungarian Dances for piano, four-hands (with Kathryn March, piano); produced and distributed by Centaur Records, Inc.  (CRC 2551)

Related Characters (with William Perconti, saxophone); Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, this CD contains first compact disc recordings of works by Heiden, Kolb, and Derr.  Also included are works by Francaix and Still; produced and distributed by Centaur Records (CD 2345)

Duo 1 point 5 (with William Perconti, saxophone); Works by Thomys and Gershwin;  produced and distributed by Crystal Records (CD653)

America’s Millenium Tribute to Adolph Sax, volume III:  Soliloquy by Margaret Garwood (with William Perconti, saxophone); produced and distributed by Arizona University Recordings (AUR CD 3098)

Works for Solo Piano:  Beethoven: Sonata in F minor, Op. 57; Blacher:  Sonata fur Klavier (1951);  Chopin:  Four Ballades;  independently produced and distributed by James March.

Phone: (712) 274-5215
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