Village Chronicles

Employing more than 20 musicians, the Guter Big Band played throughout the Greater Midwest area, radiating out from Chicago.

Mr. Guter was a native of New Jersey, where he completed high school before enrolling at the United States Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. for three years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1964 at Montclair State College, in Montclair, NJ. Jim stayed at Montclair State for another four years, earning his Masters of Music in 1968.

Mr. Guter pursued advanced training, certification and education credits in curriculum development, teacher training and music workshops in several instruments.

Institutions of higher learning included California State University at Fresno, San Jose State University (CA), Acton-Boxborough Regional School District in Acton, MA, Rockford College, (IL) and VanderCook College of Music, Chicago.

Entering the job market in 1964, Jim settled in middle school and high school education in Madison, was director of bands for the high school in Iselin, NJ, Director of Bands and Music Coordinator for K through 12 in Gloucester (MA) Public Schools, and Music Department Chair at Clovis High School in Fresno, CA.

Jim left public education for eight years. His first corporate assignment was Executive Director of Bowl Games of America in Salt Lake City for four years. He followed by forming his own firm and serving as President/Owner of Events America in Groton, MA. The company specialized in pre-game, half-time entertainment and parades at Collegiate Football Bowl Games. The company also administered several music festivals at many locations throughout the country.

Mr. Guter returned to the education arena and held significant positions at the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District in Acton, MA, the Consolidated School District of New Britain, CT, and the Lincoln-Way Community High School in New Lenox, IL. His final position was with Community High School District 94 of West Chicago, serving as the Fine Arts Department Chair.

Following retirement Jim continued to serve as an adjudicator and clinician for Jazz and Concert Bands throughout the Chicago metro area.

Establishing his retirement home in Warrenville with his equally talented wife Janis, also a retired music educator (Downers Grove high schools), Jim and Janis set out to explore retired life while still making contributions to music and cultural arts in many communities.

Tapped in 2009 to help establish the Warrenville Arts Council (WAC), Jim and Janis were instrumental in building the program from scratch.

The first year WAC produced nine performing and visual arts programs. Instrumental ensembles and small groups, plus dance, vocal and choral concerts filled the Warrenville cultural calendar in 2009-10. Art exhibits of varying genres were also scheduled during the program year.

The 2010-11 season offered a more sustainable calendar of seven events. The 2011-12 season will include six events with plans well underway for the 2012-13 calendar season.

WAC’s focus has been on local cultural offerings with as many local artists as possible to provide the opportunity to display their creative talents. These programs have been made possible through the cooperation of the Tourism and Arts Commission of the City of Warrenville, and funded in part by grants from TAC and the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.

Jim Guter was the president of WAC while Janis Guter serves as Vice President. The board and committee team of WAC will boldly face the challenge of continuing Jim’s work and dream of a vital community arts program.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Williams Woodward Funeral Home in West Chicago. In lieu of flowers, donations benefitting the Montclair State University School of Music may be made via the funeral home (www.williams-woodward.com).