Meet the Faculty
James Chaudoir
(920) 424-2276
chaudoir@uwosh.edu
Biography
James Chaudoir (b. 1946, Baton Rouge, La.) is Professor of Music Composition at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. His academic studies were completed at Louisiana State University and the University of Maryland, where he was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. His teachers include Lawrence Moss, Kenneth Klaus, Dinos Constantinides, James Drew, and Ned Rorem. Before arriving in "America's Dairyland", he taught in Texas and Ohio.
Chaudoir's varied interests are reflected in the wide range of works he has written for vocal and instrumental ensembles--from solo performer to choir and orchestra--and many pieces incorporating dance. He has also worked in the electronic medium utilizing both analog and MIDI technique. Included in his honors are numerous ASCAP Standard Awards, Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowships, and commissions from Arts Midwest/Meet the Composer, the Texas Composers Commission Fund, the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association, the Robert Evett Fund of Washington, D.C., various grants from the Ohio Arts Council and the University of Wisconsin system, and artist residencies awarded through the Robert E. Gard Wisconsin Idea foundation, the Ragdale Foundation, and the Atlantic Center for the Arts. In 1989 he was awarded a Citation by the Assembly from the State of Wisconsin for his achievements of excellence in music composition. A highly published and internationally recognized composer, his works have been performed in cities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Far East. He was composer-in-residence at the 1991 Green Lake (WI) Festival of Music and the Tempo '92 Festival of New Music in Portsmouth, England. He has received fellowships to the Atlantic Center for the Arts, the Talloires (France) International Composers Conference and travels widely as a guest composer presenting lectures, workshops and master classes.
In addition to composing, Dr. Chaudoir is an active performer, conductor and supporter of contemporary music. A founding member of the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers, he has served on the Board of Directors since its inception in 1984 and has held two terms as President. He serves on the National Council of the Society of Composers, Inc. And is a member of the National Association of Composers/USA and the Southeastern Composers League. He was named a "composer friend" of the Tubist Universal Brotherhood Association in recognition of his Concerto for Tuba and Wind Ensemble. He has adjudicated compositions on the state, regional and national levels for organizations including the Music Teachers National Association. When not busy creating music, you will probably find him in the kitchen, where he spends considerable time sharing the delights of Louisiana cuisine with family and friends.