New Orchestra Music Editor Jim Palmer Joins the Team at Excelcia Music Publishing

Excelcia Music Publishing is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jim Palmer to the position of Orchestra Music Editor. A professional Violist, accomplished composer, and caring educator with 37 years of classroom teaching experience, Jim joins the existing editing team for Wingert-Jones Publications, Kendor Music Publishing, RBC Publications, and Excelcia Music Publishing, which includes Director of Music Production and Editing Tyler Arcari, Choral Music Editor Jamey Ray, and Jazz and Instrumental Editor Blair Bielawski.

“I have a deep passion for helping teachers inspire their students to love and perform great music, and I am honored to continue that mission as the Orchestra Music Editor for Excelcia Music Publishing,” says Jim Palmer. “Having served as a high school orchestra director for 37 years, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had to share quality music with my students. I look forward to collaborating with Excelcia Music Publishing’s exceptional composers and editorial team to create clear, pedagogically sound, and inspiring music for the next generation of teachers and students.”

Larry Clark, President, writes, “We are elated to welcome Jim Palmer to the Excelcia Music Publishing team. He brings a multifaceted wealth of expertise to his new role, and I know that our composers, staff, and the music educators we serve will benefit from his passion for music and music education.”

Recipient of the American String Teachers Association Elizabeth A. H. Green Award for a distinguished career in string teaching, Jim Palmer is retiring in 2026 after 37 years of teaching high school orchestra in both Georgia and Florida. Since 2003, he has also served as the Music Director of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus (Columbus, GA). An accomplished composer and arranger, Mr. Palmer has published numerous works for string orchestra and is the co-author of the Sound Orchestra method book. His works are frequently performed at ASTA and The Midwest Clinic and appear on state repertoire lists across the country. Throughout his career, Mr. Palmer served as the Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Department Chairman at Allatoona High School in Acworth, Georgia (2008–2026), Chattahoochee High School in Johns Creek, Georgia (2001–2008), and Cypress Lake Center for the Arts in Fort Myers, Florida (1996–2001). He began his career at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida (1989–1996). Beyond the classroom, he has conducted the Florida West Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, and previously served as Music Director for the Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras. He was also a long-time Senior Conductor at the Florida State University Summer Music Camps. Mr. Palmer’s orchestras have performed at prestigious venues and events, including the Florida Music Educators Conference, the MENC Southern Division Conference, the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, and The Midwest Clinic. A three-time Teacher of the Year, he has been inducted into the Florida Collegiate Music Educators Hall of Fame and is a frequent clinician for All-State and Honors Orchestras nationwide. As a professional violist, he served as Principal for the Sarasota Pops Orchestra and performed with the Southwest Florida Symphony. Mr. Palmer is a graduate of Florida State University and a member of ASCAP and GMEA. He is a Past President of the Georgia ASTA and a former Chairman of the ASTA National Orchestra Festival. He resides in Kennesaw, GA, with his wife, Lydia, and son, Curtis.

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About Excelcia Music Publishing: As a composer-led publisher, Excelcia Music Publishing provides musical and educational communities with new, school performance music for concert band, string orchestra, jazz ensemble, and choir, as well as methods, solos, chamber music, and resources for music educators. Based in Lakeland, FL, Excelcia Music Publishing is known for publishing artistic, meticulously-edited, accessible music by composers who are sensitive to and passionate about the needs and educational aspirations of young musicians. Excelcia Music Publishing’s music is sold throughout the United States and internationally.