“My role clearly has been to mentor classical flutists who dream of a career as a performer or teacher,” said Walker. “Having a career that covered more bases than normal has allowed me to speak somewhat knowingly about those career areas that are not often a part of the traditional conservatory setting.”
Creative. Varied. Accomplished. Influential.
These are just a few adjectives describing the extensive career of Jim Walker, a founding flute faculty member for the Colburn Conservatory of Music.
By the time he joined the School in 2007, Walker had composed an eclectic career, which only added to the value he has imparted on upon his students.
“My career proved to be multi-tiered and multi-faceted in ways I never planned or hoped for in my younger years,” he says.
Now, Walker readies to embark on a new journey: retirement.
An Unexpected Path
Walker’s musical escapade began under the tutelage of his father, a jazz clarinetist and public school band director, and his mother, a church organist. In addition to the flute, the young musician played around with bass clarinet, piano, and saxophone. After high school, he moved on to the University of Louisville in his home state of Kentucky before seeking professional performance opportunities, which included a stint with the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point Military Academy and an appointment as Associate Principal Flute in the Pittsburgh Symphony. Eight years later, he headed west for the Principal Flute position with the LA Philharmonic. (Below: Jim Walker with the LA Phil Principal Winds in 1979.)
But Walker’s artistic wanderlust wouldn’t be quieted. After his tenure with LA Phil, he explored a longstanding inclination for jazz by forming Free Flight. The jazz-classical fusion quartet delivered television appearances and a number one record. He also ventured into the realm of studio recording, working with a variety of producers and musicians, including luminaries Paul McCartney and John Williams. Throughout his career, however, Walker has always been a teacher.
“My role clearly has been to mentor classical flutists who dream of a career as a performer or teacher,” he says. “Having a career that covered more bases than normal has allowed me to speak somewhat knowingly about those career areas that are not often a part of the traditional conservatory setting.” (Below: Free Flight during a soundcheck for the Johnny Carson Show in 1981)
Before arriving at Colburn, Walker taught at Duquesne University, Carnegie-Mellon, and the University of Pittsburgh as well as served as Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Flute Studies at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Of course, for the past 18 years, Walker taught Flute and Chamber Music at the Colburn Conservatory of Music.
“Truthfully, being a part of the Colburn School Conservatory meant I was rubbing shoulders with some of the most talented musicians, both teachers and students,” says Walker. “I also loved getting to know the production staff well enough to be taken into their Fantasy Football league!”
Now, Walker looks forward to devoting his time and attention to more personal matters.
“I will do my best to learn to slow down and smell any roses that still exist in my orbit. I have two grandsons turning one year old (five weeks apart) and I plan to spend much more time watching them grow into hockey-playing flute players,” he says. “Also, golf with Richard Beene is a very big part of my retirement plan! Currently, our decades-old betting games have me down $10. I have to turn that around to get my head above sea level asap.”
On Saturday, April 26, the Colburn community celebrated Walker’s eclectic and impactful career, including performances with both current and former students. Walker’s finale will be as Keynote Speaker for the Conservatory Commencement on May 5, which is open to the public and will be livestreamed. (Below: Jim Walker and students from the Conservatory and Music Academy perform on the Celebration Concert in April.)
A New Era
Colburn School also welcomes Demarre McGill as Professor of Flute for the Conservatory and Music Academy for the upcoming 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
McGill is a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and Sphinx Medal of Excellence and is a co-founder of Art of Élan, an organization dedicated to innovative programming. Additionally, he is a celebrated soloist and chamber musician, including Principal Flute for the Seattle Symphony and appearances with leading orchestras. McGill is a founding member of the Myriad Trio and former member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program.
As an educator, McGill was Associate Professor of Flute at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and artist faculty member for Aspen Music Festival and School, as well as presenting master classes internationally.
“I am honored and excited to join the faculty at the Colburn School, an institution known for its commitment to artistic excellence and the cultivation of outstanding musicians,” says McGill.