UNCBAA is spotlighting our members! We ask their favorite band memories, their role in the band and what they are doing today. Today, we hear from James Gunter from the Class of 1995.
Q: What years were you in band?
Fall of 1991 through Spring of 1995.
Q: What instrument did you play?
I loved playing trumpet in the Marching Band, Pep Bands, Jazz and Concert Bands including all the lessons with Jim Ketch. It was just a great music program to be around.
Q: What are you up to now?
I’m married to the cutest clarinet player I met at UNC (Diana Brown class of ’93) and we have three boys aging from 22 to 15 (Will, Andrew and Sam). We are pretty busy with them and spend a lot of time outdoors and volunteering with different youth organizations like scouts and coaching sports and these days visiting the older boys at college. With my full time career I lead a global team that performs statistical analysis for clinical trials and get to see some life changing medicines approved for patients.
Q: How did UNC Bands prepare you for what you are currently doing?
It is a great question with a long answer. The band was a mixing pot of people from so many places, studying different degrees, and having way different backgrounds. Band gave us a common goal to practice, sweat, perform, cheer, and work together that is so unique at college. When I look back on that, it instilled in me teamwork, self accountability, passion and helped me to look at life through a wide lens. Having grown up in a small town that really stretched me in new ways that I am really thankful for now that I work with people from around the globe.
Q: What is your favorite UNC Bands memory?
Sorry, but I can’t select one. There were so many band events that I can still remember vividly like Macy’s parade, playing at Madison Square Gardens, bowl games, marching at the Commanders/Giants game and cheering Lawrence Taylor, freezing cold home game against Clemson, performing as a Blues Brother. Not to mention all the events that I went to with my band friends who were my best friends – ’93 championship in particular.
But what I miss the most are the practices, meals and time spent hanging out together. The great thing is that I am still close to a lot of UNC Bands friends and those that I do not see often I know we would pick up right where we left off.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was raised on a small farm in Stokesdale, North Carolina and now own the farm and raise cows and tend bees. Like music, the farm has been a balance to the stresses of job and busy life.
