Background
Saker, James Robert was born on April 13, 1945 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of James W. and Florence A. (Wray) Saker.
Saker, James Robert was born on April 13, 1945 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of James W. and Florence A. (Wray) Saker.
Bachelor of Music, Bowling Green State University, 1967. Master of Music, Youngstown State University, 1975. Doctor of Philosophy, University Iowa, 1982.
Director instrumental music, Hillsdale Schools, Jeromesville, Ohio., 1967-1970;
chairman music department, director high school bands, Champion Schools, Warren, Ohio., 1970-1976;
graduate teaching assistant, member band staff, U. Iowa, Iowa City, 1976-1978;
director bands, U. Nebraska, Omaha, since 1978;
professor, chair department music, U. Nebraska, Omaha, since 1992;
Isaacson Distinguished Professor Music, U. Nebraska, Omaha, since 1997. Regional director Music Bowl, Inc., Chicago, 1986-1992. Music director Nebraska Ambs. of Music, Omaha, 1986-1993.
Member Nebraska Consortium on Discipline BasedMusic Education, Lincoln, 1988-1992. President Windthyme, Inc., Omaha, since 1984. Music director Plam Springs (California) International Children's Festival, 1989, Bluffs Run Iowa Charity Jazz Festival, 1991.
Coordinator City of Paris National Ambassadors of Music Programs, since 1994.
Founding president Tiburon Home Owners Association, 1996—1999. Board directors Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, 1981—1984. Member advisory board KVNO Public Radio, since 1997.
Member parade committee River City Roundup, Inc., Omaha, since 1983. Member of Omaha Jazz Society (vice president 1981-1986), College Music Society, College Band Directors National Association (state chairman since 1981), Nebraska Bandmasters Association (president 1983-1984, Donald A. Lentz Outstanding Bandmaster award 1993), Nebraska Music Educators Association 1987-1989, (Distinguished Service award 1989, Outstanding Service award 2001, Award of Recognition 2001), Ohio Music Educators Association (president-elect local district 1974-1976), National Band Association (executive board 1983-1986, since 1990, Citation of Excellence 1986, 1999), Rotary (chairman Rotaract 1988-1990), Kappa Kappa Psi, Golden Key Honor Society, Phi Beta Mu (honorary), Omicron Delta Kappa (honorary).
Son of; married Cheryl Ann Mayer, December 26, 1966. Children: James R. Junior, Robert David.