James Chambers was student of Anton Horner at the Curtis Institute (1938-1941). Shortly after graduating, he was invited by Fritz Reiner to be the principal horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1946, he became principal of the New York Philharmonic and began teaching at the Juilliard School of Music.

In 1969, due to severe health problems Chambers retired from the horn. However, he kept serving as Personnel Manager for the NY Philharmonic - for eighteen more years.

Publications include: a series of orchestral excerpts books and numerous editions of etude and solo works.