Whitehouse Wind Symphony

About the Symphony

Founded in 1996.

Casey Bork founded the Whitehouse Wind Symphony in 1996, and James P. Sheeley, Jr. directs it today. Our musicians come from all over New Jersey, and from New York City and eastern Pennsylvania, to play for audiences across central and northern New Jersey.

We play the best of wind band music, especially pieces written or arranged for band in the first half of the twentieth century, the "Golden Era" of the American concert band. Alongside them you'll hear popular tunes, Broadway scores, marches from around the world, and music written for the band by our own members.

Each concert is built around a theme, and our children's concert and holiday series are audience favorites. In recent years we've played in Bedminster, Branchburg, Clinton, Flemington, Hillsborough, Readington, Ringoes, Somerville and Whitehouse Station. We're also the only concert band known to have performed at the historic Hunterdon County Courthouse in Flemington.

The Whitehouse Wind Symphony is a member of the Association of Concert Bands.

Writing about the band? Logos, photographs and press releases are in the Press & Media section of the Contact page.

Mission

To enrich the community through music by providing high quality performances while fostering an enjoyable, challenging and educational musical experience for our members.

On the podium

James P. Sheeley, Jr., in a black tuxedo and bow tie, conducting with his baton raised

James P. Sheeley, Jr.

Musical Director

James Sheeley graduated from Mansfield State College with a BS in Music Education, with an Instrumental Music concentration. Jim was a graduate teaching assistant and received an MS in Music with an Instrumental Conducting emphasis from Mansfield University. He completed a MS in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey.

Jim has been in the education field for 46 years as a High School Band Director and School Administrator. Currently he is the Director of Athletic Bands at Wagner College. Jim served as the CEO and Chief School Administrator for 12 years at NJ Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities.

Jim served as the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Newark Public Schools. The department oversaw 65 schools and 300 Visual and Performing Arts teachers. Prior to moving to administrative positions Jim was a high school band director. Jim’s marching, concert, and jazz bands received recognition at the local, regional, and national levels. Many of Jim’s former students have followed in his footsteps and have become music teachers.

Jim has been the Music Director of the Whitehouse Wind Symphony for 15 years. This community concert band performs 10–12 concerts annually in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. As a trombonist, Jim regularly performs with local and regional jazz and concert bands. He performed at The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, and many local churches as a member of a brass quartet. He performed with Urbie Green, Howard Johnson and studied with Richard Chamberlain from the Buddy Rich and Chuck Mangione Big Bands.

Jim adjudicated for USBands, Cavalcade of Bands and the New York Field Band Conference for 27 years.

Casimir V. "Casey" Bork, Jr.

Founder & Conductor Emeritus

Casey Bork founded the Whitehouse Wind Symphony in 1996 and led it as its first conductor. His arrangements remain in the Symphony’s active repertoire.

Board of Directors

  • James P. Sheeley, Jr.Musical Director (non-voting)
  • Margaret SmithPresident
  • Michele CostelloVice President
  • Helene KaplanTreasurer
  • Michelle LittwinSecretary
  • Louise DeisDirector at Large
  • Fred RagerDirector at Large
  • Matthew WegerDirector at Large

Documents