James Franklin has quickly garnered a reputation for fine music making with all levels of choral ensembles. As the Director of Choral Studies at Sam Houston State University, he conducts the SHSU Chorale and Symphonic Choir, directs the graduate choral conducting program, and teaches undergraduate conducting.  Recent honors include invitations to perform at the SW-ACDA Convention (2014), Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC (2013), and Duke Chapel in Durham, NC (2013).  Additionally, Franklin’s ensembles have been invited to collaborate with such notable groups as the Bach Society Houston, Rice University Symphony Orchestra, Mercury Baroque Orchestra, Houston Masterworks Chorus, and the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to his duties at SHSU, Franklin serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor for the Brazos Valley Chorale and remains active as a singer.  He has performed with many professional choirs including Orpheus Chamber Singers, Dallas Bach Society, Houston Bach Society, South Dakota Chorale, Fuma Sacra of New Jersey, and Texas Choral Artists.  Recent recording projects include CDs with South Dakota Chorale (2014 & 2011) and the Houston Bach Society (2010).

With a consistent commitment to learning, Franklin continues to pursue educational opportunities, especially those in Europe.  He has participated in the Eric Ericson Master Class in Haarlem, The Netherlands; the Choral Conducting Master Class at the Kodaly Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary; the Eric Ericson Master Class in Lund, Sweden; and the International Master Class with the Stuttgart Kammerchor in Vaison-la-Romaine, France.  Conducting teachers included Eric Ericson, Frieder Bernius, Andrew Parrot, Peter Erdei, Stephen Cleobury, and Jos van Veldhoven.

He has held a Teaching Fellowship position at the University of North Texas and served as the Associate Conductor of Schola Cantorum of Texas, based in Fort Worth. Prior to his conducting at the collegiate level, he taught public high school and middle school choir. Additionally, he has been active as a church musician, holding multiple jobs as Director of Music at various churches. An active member of ACDA, IFCM, TMEA and TCDA, he has often served as a clinician and a judicator.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, vocal emphasis, from Baylor University, his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas.