Mr. James Richens, Professor of Theory and Composition, received his Bachelor of Music degree from Memphis State University and completed graduate work at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied composition with Bernard Rogers and Samuel Adler.

Mr. Richens has been Composer in Residence with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for 20 years. He has written and arranged numerous works in a variety of styles for the MSO. Settings of gospel music, popular standards, Christmas and Hanukkah music as well as blues and Elvis Presley charts have contributed to the MSO Pops' Concert repertoire. Works commissioned by the MSO for its Masterworks Series include the "Icarus" Symphony, "A Joyful Noise" and "The Bells" for chorus and orchestra.

His widely recognized symphonic pops arrangements have been performed by many orchestras including the Cleveland Pops, the Colorado Symphony, the Charleston Symphony, the Nashville Symphony and many others throughout the United States.

An award winning ASCAP composer for the last 30 years, he has written chamber music, ballets, education pieces and works for concert band. Outside the United States, his works have been performed in England, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, South Africa, Belgium and Taiwan.

Mr. Richens is now teaching theory, electronic music composition, advanced orchestration and counterpoint at the University of Memphis.

 For a catalog of works, go to http://www.jamesrichens.com/.