James A. "Prof" Jacobsen 1920 - 2006

James A. "Prof" Jacobsen, 86, a retired director of bands at TCU, died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006, at his Fort Worth residence.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made to the Jim and Wyn Jacobsen Band Fund, Texas Christian University, Office of Development, Box 297044, Fort Worth, Texas 76129; the Boren-Jacobsen Band Scholarship Fund, Midwestern University, Office of Donor Services, 3410 Taft St., Wichita Falls, Texas 76308; or University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109.

James Alva Jacobsen was born May 8, 1920, in Montrose, Colo., to Arthur Chris Jacobsen and Kathryn Georgia Zunich. He attended public school in Colorado and held advanced degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, B.A. in public school music, 1942; and Texas Christian University, master of music education, 1952. Jim did graduate study at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago and, in 1955, received an honorary doctor of music from Southern College of Fine Arts in Houston.

Jim was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, when he was discharged in 1945. Jim became director of bands at Midwestern University, where he met his wife, Wyneth Berry. They were married Dec. 15, 1946, at First Christian Church in Wichita Falls, and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Dec. 15, 1996.

Jim was director of bands at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls from 1945-1955. He inaugurated both the band and choir programs at this institution. He introduced the "8 to 5" system of marching. In 1955, he became director of bands and professor of music at Texas Christian University. "Prof" Jacobsen is known as the creator of the "Moving Diamond" precision marching band drill technique. The TCU Marching Band performed the first of these drills on national television Jan. 1, 1959, at the Cotton Bowl, receiving national recognition for this innovative drill technique. For years after his retirement in 1982, he was in popular demand as a clinician, consultant, guest conductor and judge for band events across the country and in Europe.

In 1975, Jim was elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association. He was a past national president of Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary band fraternity, past southwest district president of the College Band Directors National Association and past president and organizer of the Southwest Conference Band Directors Association. He was a member since 1946 of the Texas Bandmasters Association, member of the Texas Music Educators Association, member of Phi Beta Mu national honorary band directors' fraternity, charter member of the National Band Association and member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia national honorary music fraternity.

Jim was listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Who's Who in Music, Who's Who in Education and the International Who's Who in Music. He was named one of the 10 most outstanding educational music directors in the United States in 1972 by the "School Musician" magazine. He was named Texas Bandmaster of the Year 1988 by the Texas Bandmasters Association; named to the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1991 by the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu; and named to the Texas Music Educators Association Region 5 Bandmasters Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1993.

At the time of his death, he was executive secretary of the University Interscholastic League Region 5 and Area B. He was responsible for the supervision and management of all public school band, orchestra and choir contests held in Region 5, which is composed of more than 350 competing units.

"Prof" loved his work, his students and his family. He. was an icon for the marching band profession and leaves a legacy of performing, teaching and mentoring throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers; and his wife.

Survivors: His son, Kent Jacobsen and his wife, Sue, of Richmond, Va.; his stepdaughter, Carol Alexander and her husband, Denny, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Kelly Lewis and her husband, Stewart, of Richmond, Va., Dr. Chris Jacobsen and his wife, Tina, of San Diego, Calif., Steven Jacobsen of Fort Worth, John Jacobsen and his wife, Stacey, of Bloommgton, Ind., Debby Arnold, and her husband, Bill, and Jeff Alexander and his wife, Laura, all of Fort Worth; two great-granddaughters; and four great-grandsons