Curnow was most recently honored with a listing in the Grove Dictionary of American Musicians.American composer James Curnow received his Bachelor of Music degree from Wayne State University and his Master of Music from Michigan State University. He has taught all areas and levels of instrumental music, and has received numerous awards for teaching and composition: the Outstanding Educator of America (1974), the Citation of Excellence from the National Bandmasters Association (1980), the Volkwein Award (1977 and 1979), the American Bandmasters Association Ostwald Award (1980 and 1984), the International Competition for Original Compositions for Band (1985) and the Coup de Vents Composition Competition of Le Havre, France (1994). In 1997 he was named Composer of the Year by the Kentucky Music Teachers Association and the National Music Teachers Association. He has received annual ASCAP standard awards since 1979.