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A Legacy of Music and Community Service: Remembering James “Jim” Bonnell
Albuquerque bids farewell to James “Jim” Bonnell, a dedicated musician and tireless community advocate whose life was deeply intertwined with the cultural and educational fabric of New Mexico. Jim passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy of artistic contribution and a profound impact on the organizations he served.A distinguished violist, jim graced the stages of numerous Southwestern ensembles throughout his career. He was a valued member of the new Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Opera Southwest, the El Paso Symphony, the Roswell Symphony, and the Albuquerque Civic Symphony. His tenure with the new Mexico Chamber Orchestra was important, and he retired in 1997 as the principal viola for the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque. beyond his performance career,Jim was a passionate conductor within the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program,leading the Valley junior Orchestra,Heights Junior Orchestra,Albuquerque Junior Symphony,and the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. His musical talents also extended to church settings, where he served as organist and/or choirmaster at St. Matthew’s and St. Michael and All Angel’s Episcopal churches in Albuquerque, St. Andrew’s Episcopal in las Cruces, and St. Paul’s Episcopal in Artesia. Jim’s expertise was sought after as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Texas, Colorado, and new Mexico, and he shared his knowledge as a presenter at professional education conferences and as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico.
Jim’s commitment to community extended far beyond the concert hall. He held leadership positions in various organizations, including serving as Past President of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra Musicians and as a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque Board of Trustees.He also co-chaired the ACE Committee for Albuquerque Public Schools. His involvement with the Great Southwest Council/Boy Scouts of America was extensive, encompassing roles such as the District Advisory Council for Safe and Drug Free Schools, Past President of The Educational Success Alliance, and participation in the greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Career Guidance Institute K-12 Committee and the Blue Ribbon Outstanding Students and Educators Awards Committee. Furthermore, he contributed to the Advisory Council for TASA (Team Against Substance abuse in APS).
Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Grace bonnell, and James N. and Dessie Ogle; his parents, Charles and Edith Bonnell; and his sister, Betty Jean Bonnell Artz. He is survived by his beloved wife, Paula Diane Thompson Bonnell, and a loving extended family, including sue McAdams, Karen and Howard Slinkard, David and Judy Thompson, Jack Artz, and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Jim and his wife Diane, a retired public school music educator and arts administrator, most recently with the UNM Music Prep School, were active members of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Albuquerque. A party of Jim’s life will be held on August 5th at St. John’s Episcopal cathedral in Albuquerque, NM, with a Music Tribute at 1:30 PM followed by the service at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to support causes close to Jim’s heart. Donations can be directed to The Music Program at the Cathedral Church of St. John (318 Silver Avenue SW, Albuquerque), The Diane Bonnell Scholarship Endowment for the UNM Music Prep School (UNM Foundation), the UNM Robb Musical Trust (UNM Foundation), the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program, or The International Myeloma Foundation.
