James V. Brooks Biographical SketchJacksonville native, James V. Brooks graduated from Bethune Cookman College and earned his Master’s Degree in Music Education from Florida State University. He became an itinerant string instructor, high school music teacher and band director for local high schools - Southside, Wolfson and Paxon. He was also a devoted church musician and was a member of Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church.
Mr. Brooks was employed for nineteen years with Duval County Public Schools. Of that time, he served twelve years as music teacher and band director of the Paxon Marching Eagles Band. Under Mr. Brooks’ leadership, The Paxon Marching Eagles Band gained popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s. There was a “friendly rivalry” among the Marching Eagles and the marching bands of other schools in the area. |
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Through the years, many male and female students alike looked to Mr. Brooks as a father figure. Mr. Brooks developed a close relationship with his students. He kept the band students in-line, both on and off the field. This kind of mentoring and involvement is what, in addition to his indisputable talent, made him a legend in the Jacksonville community.
James V. Brooks Scholarship Fund
The James V. Brooks Scholarship Fund was established by his sister, Ms. Shirley Bing. The mission of the fund is: (1) to provide scholarships to graduating seniors in local Jacksonville schools that intend to be active in music related activities during their higher education tenure and (2) to financially assist children in Jacksonville who express an interest in music and whose families are unable to afford instruction to develop their skills.
The Power of Music
Supporters of the James V. Brooks Scholarship Fund annually sponsor “The Power of Music” (POM) to educate and inspire music lovers as well as to raise funds to support the scholarships annually awarded. Since 2012 thousands of dollars have been raised to support the now twenty James V. Brooks Scholars who attend colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Scholarship Recipients 2013-2016
2013 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Arianna Beyer |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Eastman School of Music |
Zachary Drum |
Baldwin Middle-high School |
Palm Beach Atlantic University |
Mikaela Jacob |
First Coast High School |
North Carolina A&T University |
Charis Middleton |
Fletcher High School |
University of Central Florida |
Cedavean Waller |
Edward Waters College |
2014 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Abigail Curry |
Fletcher High School |
Mars Hill University |
Hannah Frazier |
Fletcher High School |
Stetson University |
Octavia McMillian |
William Raines High School |
Jackson State University |
Lilyan Moss |
Fletcher High School |
University of Florida |
Samantha Nelson |
Fletcher High School |
Florida State University |
Evelyn Padgett |
Fletcher High School |
University of Florida |
2015 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Danielle Cogdell |
New Stanton High School |
Florida A&M University |
Jamilah Dell |
Clay High School |
Florida Memorial University |
Dyaunni Edwards |
First Coast High School |
Florida State College (Jacksonville) |
Timara Jones |
Robert E. Lee High School |
University of Central Florida |
Matthew Harris |
John Snyder High School |
Stetson University |
Spencer Shack |
Douglas Anderson High School |
University of Central Florida |
Stephanie Smith |
Ribault High School |
Florida A&M University |
2016 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Hamza Able |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Manhattan School of Music |
Isais Garcia |
Oakleaf High School |
Santa Fe College |
2017 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Darius Arnette |
Government High School (BH) |
Edward Waters College |
Darien Bolden |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Florida A & M University |
Celina Johnson |
Robert E. Lee High School |
University of North Florida |
LaSandra Taylor |
Jean Ribault Senior High School |
Edward Waters College |
2018 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Morgan Brackett |
Paxon High School |
University of Central Florida |
Jaden Clements |
Jean Ribault High School |
Florida A & M University |
Cacique Jakar |
Douglas Anderson High School |
Tennessee State University |
Keyara Moody |
Value |
Talladega College |
Jaelyn Parker |
Paxon High School |
Florida A & M University |
2019 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Nikayla Byirt |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Berklee College of Music |
Aniah Jackman |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Edward Waters College |
Sarah-Iyuna Spencer |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Jacksonville University |
Tasia Mainor |
Darnell Cookman |
University of North Florida |
2020 Recipients
Name |
High School |
College Attending |
Eman Al-Amad |
Atlantic Coast High School |
Florida State College at Jacksonville |
Hanna Frampton |
Paxon School for Advanced Studies |
William Rice University |
Lynnasia Johnson |
First Coast High School |
Bethune-Cookman University |
Timothy Moss |
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts |
Bethune-Cookman University |
