James C. Burns attended Edmonds High School in Sumter, SC. His band director was James Pritchard. He attended Clemson University from 1953 to 1954. He then served in the US Army for two years with Ed Rooker playing in Army Bands. From 1958 to 1962 Mr. Burns attended East Carolina University earning his music education degree. Mr. Burns was the band director for one year each at Southern Alamance High School and Zebulon High School. He became the Cary High School band director from 1964 to 1977. His Cary bands performed at numerous local civic events, Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach, Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Disney World, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, a Washington Redskins football game, the US/Russia track meet at Duke University (1972), Rose Bowl twice (1973 and 1977) Governor of NC Inaugural Parade (Holshouser), Presidential Inaugural (Reagan) and traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to perform at the Festes de Geneve. In 1977, he stepped down as director of the Cary High School Band and became band director at Daniels and Ligon Middle Schools in Raleigh for several years. He returned to Cary as the band director of East Cary Middle School until his retirement. He also worked at Pearson Music and then Brook Mays Music. Jimmy is still an active performer on trumpet in various jazz bands in the Triangle Area. He has performed with the Triangle Brass Band, Barnum and Bailey Ringling Brother Circus, the Ice Show, Rodeos, and has performed with numerous celebrities performing in the Raleigh/Durham area.