James Estes is currently a member of the Orchid City Brass Band. From 1980 to it’s bankruptcy in 2003 Mr. Estes was Co-Principal Trumpet of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and performed in the pit for Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, Palm Beach Opera, American Ballet Theater, Stuttgart Ballet and many others. Since the demise of the Florida Philharmonic Mr. Estes has performed for numerous commercial and classical bands and orchestras.
Mr. Estes has a B.M.Ed. degree from U of Southern Miss; a M.S.degree from U of Illinois-Urbana and completed the coursework and qualifying exams for a Ph.D. degree at U of Miami. He is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Mr. Estes was a private student of Vincent Cichowicz-Chicago Symphony and Northwestern U; and Gilbert Johnson, Solo Trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra and U of Miami.
As a teacher, Mr. Estes has produced some of the top brass players in the state of Florida and New York. Three of his former students have been first chair trumpet in the Florida All-State Bands, two horn players have had that honor, and numerous trombone and euphonium and tuba players have been selected for All-State. In 2018 one of his students was Principal Trumpet in the All-State High School Orchestra. Students Mr. Estes taught have won scholarships at Northwestern U, Indiana U, Ithaca College, SUNY Potsdam, Juilliard, Eastman, McGill, Vanderbilt, FSU and UF, and Interlochen Arts Academy.