Dr. James M. Bates passed away on Friday, April 4, 2014 after an extraordinary life overcoming a long and courageous battle with chronic illness.  Born in Pittsburgh, PA to Dr. James S. and Elizabeth F. Bates on November 16, 1952 he found his life's calling in music while about to embark upon a career in medicine just before beginning college.  He earned the B.M. in organ performance magna cum laude from Susquehanna University in 1975 and pursued graduate study at Yale, where he met his wife, Susan. In 1985 he earned the M.M. in choral conducting from UNCG and in 2010 was awarded the D.M.A. in choral conducting with an emphasis in early music, a true passion.  He served many churches as Music Director and on the faculties of Salem College, Greensboro College, and Averett University.  He directed historic music programs for Old Salem, conducted the Moramus Chorale for 15 years, including several Moravian Music Festivals, sang in the Bel Canto Company,  and founded the Greensboro Vocal Consort. In May of 2013 he conducted the N.C. Baroque Orchestra in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 with his wife as harpsichord soloist.  Jim and Susan were blessed to participate in Mass at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, in June of 1999. A gifted composer with a profound understanding of artistic worship he was also an avid gardener, amateur astronomer, talented web page designer, and a brilliant intellectual.  He is survived by his wife Susan and their two beloved children, Andrew James of Washington, D.C., and Allison Elizabeth of New York, NY, in addition to his parents of Danville, PA, brothers Thomas of Naples, FL and David of Framingham, MA, sister Ellen Leighow of Danville, PA, five nieces and two nephews. The family expresses deepest gratitude to the ICU team of Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital which attended him in his final health crisis:  Drs. Dotson, Keith, Chardonnay, and Walden.   A celebration service will be held in the sanctuary of Centenary UMC in Winston-Salem, NC on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Craig Ford and  John D. Rights officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.