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On Sunday, November 6, St. James Episcopal Church in Greeneville invited the public to join them for a celebration concert and reception to honor James Winfree’s 25 years of dedicated service to St. James as organist and choir master and his 50 years of music education in Greeneville.
Jim and Brenda Winfree moved to Greeneville in 1962 when Jim accepted a position with the Greeneville City School System as the Junior High Band Director and Brenda as an elementary school music teacher. Jim began his role as a local church musician at Reformation Lutheran Church that same year as organist and choirmaster and then to St. James Episcopal Church in 1986 to the present day. Over those years, Jim has directed band and choral students, as well as given private instruction in organ, voice and instruments. His influence on the musicianship of Greeneville citizens runs the spectrum from his work as band instructor, choral director, keyboard instructor, accompanying Little Theatre productions and Tusculum Community Choral to church musician.
The concert featured some of Winfree’s former local students, many of whom traveled from across the US to be here for the event. The concert highlighted three compositions by Dr. Jonathan Santore, (1981 GHS) current chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Plymouth State University as well as composer-in-residence with the New Hampshire Chorale. One of Santore’s newest compositions received its world premier at this event. One of Santore’s brass quartet fanfares was performed by current students of Peter Hodges – Peter himself having been a student of Winfree.
Organist Michael Neas, who began trombone study with Winfree in the 4th grade at Crescent School was featured on the church’s 20-rank Shantz organ as soloist and accompanied the choir on two of the Santore choral compositions. Neas is currently Director of Parish Music at Faith Lutheran Church and School, Eustis, Florida, and Instructor of Music at Lake Sumter State College, directing the Concert Choir and instructor in piano and voice.
Dawana Gudger-Richardson is well remembered as an outstanding choral and voice student of Winfree’s during her years at Greeneville High School. Since graduating with a degree in music from MTSU, Dawana has lived in New Jersey and traveled the world with The Harlem Gospel Singers as well as national touring companies of Broadway musicals, performing for a range of audiences from Popes to Presidents.
Holly Cope Lee, GHS 1996, began her oboe studies with Jim Winfree and went on to receive the Raymond L. Barnes Award for Excellence in Woodwinds at UT. Now living in North Carolina, Holly has most recently performed as assistant and principal of the Raleigh Civic Symphony, and as principal for the Sanford Community Orchestra and the Durham Symphony Orchestra.
Jennifer Barnett began her music studies as a piano student of Mr. Winfree and went on to focus on vocal music with a Master’s Degree from Indiana University. Jennifer continues to perform professionally with orchestras and Chamber orchestras and is a past member of the Knoxville Opera Company. She is currently employed by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as the Director of Education & Community Partnerships.
Dr. Kimberly Estep also performed on the Shantz organ. Dr. Estep studied with Mr. Winfree during her tenure as Provost at Tusculum College and was under his direction as a member of the St. James Choir. Dr. Estep currently resides in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and is Vice President for Academic Affairs at Nashville State Community college.
Quotes from the performers:
Jennifer Barnett: “I hope through my own career in music education to continue to pass on these valuable lessons so patiently instilled in me by Mr. Winfree.
Dawana Gudger-Richardson: “I didn’t hesitate to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my former vocal coach, mentor and friend.”
Michael Neas: “All I am musically is because of Jim and Brenda. The only way I could even feebly thank them is to continue to help as many students as I can for as long as I can.”
