We welcome Director of Wind Ensembles at Arizona State University, Dr. Jason Caslor to the Band Room Podcast! Join Dylan as he and Jason discuss his formative years growing up in Saskatchewan, his time at University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba and Arizona State University, studying with Dale Lonis and Gary Hill, his time with the Thunder Bay Symphony, Memorial University and how he made his way back to Arizona. 

About Jason

Jason Caslor is an associate professor of music and director of wind ensembles at Arizona State University. In addition to directing the ensemble, he also mentors graduate conducting students, and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting courses. Caslor is an educational clinician for Conn-Selmer.

From 2015-2019, Caslor served as assistant professor and associate director of bands and orchestras and Arizona State University. From 2010-2015, Caslor served as assistant professor of instrumental conducting at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada where he conducted the wind ensemble and oversaw the undergraduate and graduate instrumental conducting programs. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as resident conductor with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (TBSO). During his tenure with the TBSO, he conducted more than 75 concerts (including a CBC Radio national broadcast) and recorded a full-length, internationally distributed CD with Canadian blues artist Rita Chiarelli. Recipient of an “Excellence in Teaching” Award from Memorial University’s Students’ Union in 2012, Caslor also spent several years teaching in the public school system as an instrumental and choral instructor.

In addition to numerous regional engagements, Caslor has conducted the National Youth Band of Canada, the South Dakota All State Band, the South Dakota Intercollegiate Band, and the Alberta Wind Symphony. As a researcher, he has presented his work at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the WASBE International Conference, and the CBDNA National Conference.

Caslor’s current research interests include developing a user-friendly iPad application that will allow for the transmission of high-quality audio over the internet for the purposes of internet-based rehearsals/clinics and spontaneous improvisation as it pertains to both conducting pedagogy and large ensembles.