Staff Biograhpy
Jim Steele
Brass Caption Head
Jim Steele has had an extensive career as a brass/visual instructor in both DCA and DCI. Jim has been a member of the Rochester Crusaders (‘87, ‘88) and also the Empire Statesmen from 1991 through 1999. During those years with the Statesmen, Jimmy was on the brass and visual staff from 1993-1996. In 1997 Jimmy took over the Brass Caption Head position. During his 9 years with the corps he was honored to be the part of 4 DCA World Championship Corps (’91, ’94, ’97 and ‘98). He left the Statesmen at the end of the 1999 season to begin working in the DCI ranks. From 2000-2005, he was the Brass Caption Head of Spirit of JSU. During those years, Spirit re-entered the top 12 for the first time in many years. The corps earned finalist status in 2002, 2004 and 2005. In 2006 Jim joined the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as Brass Caption Head. Now that Jimmy, and his wife Terry have started their family, he has returned back to DCA and the Empire Statesmen. In 2008, Jimmy was again the Brass Caption Head of the Statesmen. With the outstanding help of the brass team he was able to lead the brass line in capturing the DCA High Brass Award in 2008. Throughout Jimmy’s drum corps career he has been a high brass specialist. He was a DCA Individuals Champion on many occasions and was also awarded the Best Soloist Award in 1996.
Outside of drum corps Jimmy has been a major contributor to many band programs throughout the country. Jimmy has been a band director in the Medina Central School District for the past 16 years and was involved with the Medina Mustang Band for their State Championships in ’95, ’97, ’00, ’01 and ’02. Jimmy has worked with numerous band programs throughout the Northeast and has also been a judge in the National Judges Association. Jimmy has been a guest conductor at numerous festivals and also enjoys judging concert and jazz competitions.
Professionally Jimmy is a freelance trumpet player. Currently he is playing in a funk band out of Rochester, NY called The Half Ton Horns. In addition to this he has played in the orchestras of the following musicals, 42nd Street, The Wiz, Beauty and The Beast, Oklahoma, South Pacific and Peter Pan.
Jimmy resides in Brockport, NY with his wife Terry, their daughter Kailey and their 5 cats.