James L. Hosay was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. He is retired from his position as senior staff arranger for the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” During his tenure, Hosay wrote arrangements for many well-known recording artists, including Patti LaBelle, Amy Grant, Reba McEntire, and Lee Greenwood.

Quite often, Hosay’s music was performed for U.S. and foreign dignitaries, foreign heads of state, and the President of the United States. He has also written original music for numerous high-level events, such as the rededication ceremonies for the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol Building, and most recently for the ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of NATO, which was attended by the heads of state of all NATO countries.

During his 20-year military career, James Hosay received two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, and a personal letter of commendation from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell, after writing a special march for the general’s retirement ceremony.

James Hosay resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is a composer, arranger, producer, clinician, and adjudicator. Recent commissions include two original works for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, one of them for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, and several arrangements for the Virginia International Tattoo.