Jim Duren was the Director of Bands at Oak Mountain High School from its opening in the fall of 1999 through the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Prior to coming to Oak Mountain, Mr. Duren was Director of Bands at Mountain Brook Jr. High (1973-1978), Mountain Brook High School (1978-1987) and Pelham High School (1987 – 1999). During his 39 year career, Mr. Duren’s bands performed throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States, The Bahamas, Toronto and two performances at Carnegie Hall in New York. Mr. Duren was a graduate of Gordo High School in Pickens County. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. While at the University, he was a member and student conductor of the “Million Dollar Band,” Principal Trombonist in the Symphonic Band, Bass Trombonist with the Brass Ensemble, Trombone Choir, University Symphony Orchestra, and the Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Duren was a member of the Alabama Music Educators Hall of Fame, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu. In 1996, he was awarded the “John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor Award.” In 1999, he was named “Honorary Conductor” of the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble. In 2011, Mr. Duren was awarded the “Outstanding Band Director or the Year” award for the State of Alabama by the Rho chapter of Phi Beta Mu Band Director’s fraternity as well as being named “Outstanding Alumni” at the University of Alabama in 2011. A member of Hunter Street Baptist Church, Mr. Duren was married to Sharon Lamberth Duren. His son Jason is a salesman for Gadsden Music Company and is married to Bashan Duren.