Michael F. Adams Early Career Scholar Award

James Naigus, assistant professor of horn in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, seeks to inspire the next generation of musicians and creative thinkers through artistic empowerment and enthusiastic innovation. He continues to impress the international music community as a performer and a prolific composer, with a catalog of over 80 published works. His performances show great attention to detail, musicianship, and the highest standards of his discipline. Naigus’ compositions are performed around the world, providing challenging repertoire for players and engaging experiences for the audience, with more than 350 performances of his works over the past five years by distinguished musicians at venues of note, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, widely considered the most prestigious in the United States. His music is audibly appealing and virtuosic while approachable to musicians of varied abilities. Naigus is one of the finest horn instructors in higher education, sought after as a clinician and guest artist/educator at universities and music conferences.