Jim DeBusman

Jim DeBusman, Music Specialist/Quartet Development

Jim was the boys' coach for the first Big Sky Youth Harmony Rendezvous in 2003 and will return as the boys coach for 2008.  As a Music Specialist for the Barbershop Harmony Society, Jim DeBusman oversees quartet promotion and development, coordinates the activities of the Society's volunteer Music & Performance Vice Presidents and is staff liaison for the Music & Performance Committee. Jim is a clinician for numerous Youth In Harmony festivals, Society workshops and clinics held throughout the Society. DeBusman also coordinates vocal techniques and sound management instruction throughout the 30,000-member organization.

In addition, he is the Quartet College coaching coordinator and sound management and vocal techniques facilitator at the Society's Harmony University. Harmony University is a weeklong school held for Barbershoppers held concurrently every summer.

A Society member since 1969, DeBusman joined the Society staff in June 1985. He sang tenor with the 1982 Evergreen District champion, The Cascade Connection, and was selected to the Evergreen District’s Hall of Fame in 1996. He has competed twice in an international quartet contest and thirteen times in the chorus contest.

DeBusman just retired as the vocal coach and lead of the Midwest Vocal Express, the Society's 2002, 2003 and 2006 international bronze medal chorus. He is also just retired as the musical director of the Racine Dairy Statesmen barbershop chorus. Jim received the Land O’ Lakes “Friendship” Award in 1997.

DeBusman received a bachelor of arts degree in music education from Portland State University and a master of music degree in conducting and performance from Pacific Lutheran University. He was a high school choral director for 19 years, an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon for five years and has taught voice for more than 40 years. A certified Singing judge and former member of the board of review for that category, he has coached choruses and quartets throughout the world.

DeBusman has three married children and three grandsons, Christopher, Noah and Jacob. He and his wife, Barbara, now live in Nashville, Tennessee.

 The board of directors for the Big Sky Youth Harmony Rendezvous for 2008 consists of Dennis Bloxham, chair (tenor with the Bozeman Chord Rustlers), Glenna Berdahl (director of the Bridger Mountain Harmony Chorus of Bozeman), Scott Corey (vocal music teacherat Billings Senior High School), Milt Gray (bass with the Treasure Statesmen of Great Falls), and Elizabeth Keller (with the Montana Office of Public Instruction in Helena).