Jon P. James
Director
Jon P. James is the conductor of the
Sterling Municipal Band and lives in
Sterling with his wife Cathy. In 1992,
he received his Bachelors Degree in
Music Education from Western Illinois
University in Macomb and is a member
of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity
of America-Kappa Psi Chapter.

Jon has been Director of Bands at Polo
Schools since 1992. Jon is a member
of The National Band Association
(NBA), The Music Educators National
Conference (MENC) and Illinois
Educators Music Association (IMEA).  
Mr. James is also active as an
Adjudicator and Guest Conductor in the
State of Illinois.

In addition to conducting, Mr. James
has also remained active as a musician,
before picking up the baton to direct
the Sterling Municipal Band, Jon played
trumpet in the band for 12 years and
was principal chair trumpet for  9 years.

This will be Jon’s 17th year in the
Dixon Municipal Band where he serves
as principal chair trumpet and is a
member of the Sterling Brass, a Brass
Quintet formed from members of the
Sterling Municipal Band.  Jon is also a
regular member of the Sauk Valley
Community College Concert and Jazz
Band.

Jon and his wife Cathy organize and
run the Rock River Jazz Band and the
Ain’t Misbehavin Combo. Jon actively
performs in musical orchestra pits for
area high schools and community
theatres and performs as a soloist for
weddings and church services.
Sterling Municipal Band
Conductor & Manager
Grandon Civic Center
Ryan graduated from University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1997
with a Bachelor's Degree in Music
Education.  Ryan has been playing
trombone since age nine, and music has
been an integral part of his life ever
since.  Ater college, Ryan spent five
years as the Director of Bands at Fulton
Middle School in Fulton, Illinois before
switching gears to another vocation.  He
now works at GraniteWorks in Byron,
Illinois, where he designs custom
kitchens, granite countertops, and
cemetery monuments.  Ryan is one-fifth
of the Sterling Brass Quintet, and the
principal trombonist of the Sterling
Municipal Band, where he also is the
band's Announcer.  He also is the lead
trombone player for the Rock River Jazz
Band.  Ryan lives in Morrison with his
wife Cheryl, who is our principal
bassoonist, and their kids Molly and
Adam.  
Ryan Neumann
Manager