James F. Matheson, Jr.

James F. Matheson, Jr. is the director of bands, orchestras, and chorus at Richfield Elementary School.  He directs all levels of the bands and orchestras and Middle School Chorus.

Mr. Matheson has been teaching private Saxophone and Clarinet students since 1992 and has been teaching at Richfield Elementary School since 2012.  Mr. Matheson has a Bachelor of Arts, Classics degree in Latin and Classical Greek from Loyola University of Chicago and a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.  Mr. Matheson has taught private Saxophone and Clarinet lessons for the last 25 years.  As a performer, Mr. Matheson spent sixteen years playing the Baritone Saxophone and Clarinet for the Bill Engberg Orchestra (Rockford, IL), the Shananigans Big Band (DeKalb, IL), the Rock Valley College Jazz Ensemble (Rockford, IL) as well as performing with groups as diverse as the Beloit/Janesville Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Unlimited (Beloit, WI), The Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre Pit Orchestra, Rock Valley College Community Band, The Rock Valley College Olde Towne Band, Shell Lake Adult Big Band (Shell Lake, WI), and any other ensemble or group that wishes to use his skills. Over the years, he has performed with notable jazz musicians such as Buddy Baker, Frank Mantooth, Glenn Kostur, Antonio Garcia, Arnie Lawrence, and Mark Colby.  He continues to study saxophone, jazz improvisation, and jazz composition with Ken Stein.

Mr. Matheson is very proud to be the Director of the Richfield Bands and Orchestras.  He is looking forward to working with the Middle School Chorus this year.  He thoroughly enjoys working with all the musicians in the Richfield School District.  He hopes to enlist the talents of some of the musicians who have not played in a while and those who are brand new to the wonderful world of music.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Matheson either by email:

[email protected]

or by phone:

262.628.1032 ex 1144.