Major Jim Keene

Executive Officer

Director, The U.S. Army Strings

Major Jim Keene, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, currently serves as director of The U.S. Army Strings and The U.S. Army Orchestra in Washington, DC. He has arranged and produced performances for The U.S. Army Strings for international military and civilian leaders, dignitaries, and heads of state. Under Maj. Keene’s direction, the group has become one of the most sought-after performers by our nation’s leadership. He has led The U.S. Army Chorus in performances at the interments of former Presidents Ronald Reagan in Simi Valley, California, and Gerald R. Ford in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Maj. Keene’s military service has included work at the Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, Virginia; the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus, Heidelberg, Germany; and the Army Ground Forces/Forces Command Band, Atlanta, Georgia.

Prior to joining the Army, Maj. Keene served as assistant conductor of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Symphony and was orchestra conductor on staff of the SMU International Conservatory Summer Festival in Taos, New Mexico. A multi-faceted musician, Keene also worked as a violinist, pianist, and music director of the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera. Keene holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

In addition to graduating with honors, Maj. Keene was awarded the Louis Xavier Schmidt first prize in piano and the Paul Velucci prize in conducting.

Updated Thursday, February 21, 2008 2:46 PM | Major Jim R. Keene