Jim has been a member of this band since year one, playing a very jazzy alto saxophone. 

His background in music consists of playing in concert bands, symphonic bands, jazz bands, orchestras, and choirs all through junior and high school.  He also played in jazz band during college. 

He plays alto saxophone and clarinet – a little piano and, he says, "very little" flute.  Jim is quick to admit that prior to talking this leadership roll, he had no teaching or directing background and he is still learning the ropes on running rehearsals, conducting, and song selections.

His self effacing manner, combined with his patient and consistent help have made him a winner in regard to how he rehearses the band. He says he is "always open for suggestions, comments, complaints, and compliments from any and every one. "

He is the director of the Miami University Marching Band (in Oxford, Ohio), as well as a very well known and published music composer and arranger.

MORE ABOUT DAVID
Currently, he is on the music department faculty of Miami (Ohio) University and is the director of the Miami University Marching Band.

Mr. Shaffer has over 250 compositions and arrangements published by the C.L. Barnhouse Co., Heritage Music Press, and Lake State Publications. His compositions are performed at clinics and music festivals around the world and have been placed on contest performance lists in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Mr. Shaffer has been the recipient of the ASCAP Standard Award in Music Composition for 11 consecutive years.

His professional affiliations include; Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu, Music Educators National Convention, Ohio Music Education Association, Drum Corps MidWest & International Judges Guild, and American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).