James Lee Preiss, a long-time member and principal percussionist of the American Composers Orchestra and the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and a founding member of the Westchester Philharmonic, died on Jan. 21, 2014 at age 72. He also performed with the Riverside Symphony, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the American Symphony Orchestra. A founding member of the Parnassus Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, he had been a member of the Steve Reich Ensemble since 1971, and was also a member of the Manhattan Marimba Quartet. Preiss held degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Manhattan School of Music and was on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music.