Profile

Dr. James A. Long is currently the Director of Athletic Bands at California State University, Sacramento where he directs the Marching Band, Pep Bands, Winter Percussion Ensemble, and Winter Color Guard.  

Prior to his appointment at Sacramento State, James was the Director of Athletic Bands and Lecturer of Applied Tuba at Oakland University (MI). Along with his duties at Oakland, he was in demand throughout Michigan and Ohio as a conductor, marching band technician, and clinician. 

In addition to his career as a band director, James is an active tuba and euphonium performer and pedagogue. James has distinguished himself as a soloist and chamber musician both nationally and internationally: having performed at the 2021 and 2023 International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, received 1st Prize in the North American Brass Band Association’s Low Brass Technical Solo Competition, and been a featured soloist at the Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Championships in the United Kingdom. In addition to his solo and chamber experience, James has performed with numerous orchestras and bands—such as the Erie Philharmonic, Akron Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Adrian Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony Concert Band. Furthermore, James’ applied students have gone on to distinguish themselves through attending prestigious institutions, performing in professional orchestras, and being fellows at summer festivals. These include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the Bay View Music Festival, Pokorny Seminar, Brevard Festival, and the Oakland Symphony Orchestra.  

James received His Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Tuba Performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, his Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and his Bachelor of Music degree in Euphonium Performance from Oakland University (MI). His teachers and mentors include Fritz Kaenzig, Dr. Kenneth Kroesche, Dr. Robert Benton, Timothy Northcut, and David Zerkel.  

In James’ spare time he likes to play with his dog, Remi, disc golf, watch sports and play vintage video games.