The Music and Writings of JAmes Siddons
The Reverend Dr. James Siddons is an ordained Methodist minister, serving as an elder in the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. The scholarly publications and creative work in music and the written word described in this Web site are extensions and enhancements of his pastoral ministry.
Dr. Siddons occasionally speaks at colleges, professional seminars, and churches in the areas of his expertise, particularly on music and liturgy, music in Japan, and American music and religion.
Dr. Siddons also presents programs in which he performs his hymn settings for piano solo. These presentations can be in the form of a devotional service at church, with inspirational talks that interpret the nature of the hymn setting. Some of his piano-solo interpretations may be heard on his CD "Reflections on Favorite Hymns" (see page about the CD elsewhere in this website).
Please send inquiries concerning speaking, preaching, or performance engagements via the Response Page elsewhere in this website, or send your message to jamessiddons@jamessiddons.com
Reverend Dr. James Siddons (left photo) performing a river baptism (right photo) in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, August 1998.
Bachelor of Music in composition (1970) and Doctor of Philosophy in musicology (1983), the University of North Texas. Composition teachers: Prof. Merrill Ellis and Dr. Dika Newlin. Composition recital presented October 14, 1969. PhD dissertation: "On the Nature of Melody in Asia and Medieval Europe" (available from University Microfilms). Dissertation supervisor: Dr. Michael B. Collins; additional supervisor for Japanese language sources: Dr. Gene J. Cho.
Master of Music, the University of London (King's College, 1971). Thesis: "Varèse's Hyperprism: Context and Construction." Study director: Dr. Anthony Milner.
Master of Divinity magna cum laude (1997) and Master of Theology (1999), Duke University Divinity School. Th.M. thesis: "The Literary and Liturgical Background of the Funeral Hymns of John and Charles Wesley." Thesis supervisors: Prof. Geoffrey Wainwright and Karen B. Westerfield Tucker (now of the Boston University School of Theology).
Certificate of Japanese Language Study, Osaka University of Foreign Studies (1973).
Mombushô (Ministry of Education of Japan) graduate research student at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (April 1973 to August 1974). Research director: Prof. Fumio Koizumi.
Fulbright Post-Doctoral Researcher in contemporary Japanese music, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (1989-90). Host Colleague: Prof. Genichi Tsuge.
Who's Who in the South and Southwest. 17th ed.
Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America.1987.
Who's Who in Entertainment. 1st, 2nd & 3rd eds.
Who's Who in American Music: Classical. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1985.