James Solsten

James Solsten is a 1941 graduate of Fargo Central High School.  After high school, he traveled with dance bands and worked as a staff trumpeter for radio station WDAY in Fargo.  

Solsten was drafted into the Army in 1942.  In 1954 he graduated from North Dakota State University with a BS degree in music.  He did further graduate work at the University of Minnesota, in music theory and composition.  

He started his teaching career in Villard, Minnesota, in 1954.  In 1956 Solsten was offered the orchestra position in Thief River Falls where he taught orchestra for twenty-nine years.  An accomplished violinist, Solsten was also trained in violin making and repair.  

With Solsten as director, Lincoln High School’s orchestra played over a hundred concerts, entered yearly music contests, participated in 23 musicals, and played Pomp and Circumstance for every graduation during his tenure in the district.  Solsten also arranged the musical score for “We’re From Thief River.” 

He retired from the orchestra program in 1985, but continued to play with the Grand Forks Symphony for another ten years. 

Jim has continued his talents after retiring by acting in community theater and pursuing his love of music.