James Barnes received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Kansas in 1974 and 1975, respectively, and subsequently served as staff composer and arranger in the University of Kansas' band department. Barnes has composed for chamber ensembles and orchestra, as well as for band.

The Golden Festival Overture was composed in 1997 and is dedicated to the United States Army Field Band, Colonel Jack H. Grogan, Conductor, in commemoration of the band's 50th anniversary. --James Huff 19:37, 28 November 2008 (UTC) (from the program notes of The Claremont Winds, submitted with permission)