Jason Caslor
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Phone: 480-965-4392
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Fax: 480-965-2659
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Gammage Auditorium - 213 1200 S Forest Ave Tempe, AZ 85281
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Mail code: 0405Campus: Tempe
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Born and raised in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, Jason Caslor is currently an associate professor of music and the director of bands at Arizona State University (ASU). In addition to directing the wind ensemble, he also mentors graduate conducting students and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting courses. Recent highlights include first commercial recordings of Kevin Day’s 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Music nominated Concerto for Wind Ensemble and Carter Pann’s Double Concerto “Baroque” with the ASU Wind Ensemble.
From 2015-2019, Caslor was an assistant professor and the associate director of bands and orchestras at ASU. Highlights of that time include founding the now firmly established ASU Philharmonia and being nominated for ASU’s Outstanding Master’s Mentor Award. From 2010-2015, Caslor was an 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.
A Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician, Caslor has guest conducted or adjudicated in every province in Canada and throughout the United States. In addition to numerous regional engagements, Caslor has conducted the United States Army Field Band, the National Youth Band of Canada, the South Dakota All State Band, the South Dakota Intercollegiate Band, and the Alberta Wind Symphony. He also served as a conducting clinician for the inaugural CASMEC Conducting Symposium.
A fiercely proud Canadian currently living amongst cacti, Caslor’s co-founding and leadership over the Canadian Band Association’s (CBA) Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition lead to him being the recipient of the CBA’s 2022 International Band Award. The award recognizes those individuals who have embraced the ideals of the CBA and have contributed to the promotion, growth and development of the musical, educational and cultural values of Canadian band outside of Canada.
As a researcher, he has presented his work at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the WASBE International Conference, the CBDNA National Conference, the IGEB International Conference on Wind Music, the International Society for Music Education World Conference, and the Riksförbundet Unga Musikanter Wind Band Symposium (Sweden). He has also published numerous articles, most prominently in the Canadian Winds journal.
Caslor completed his doctorate in conducting at Arizona State University. Prior to earning a master's in conducting from the University of Manitoba, he earned dual bachelor's in music and education from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
- D.M.A. Conducting, Arizona State University 2010. Dissertation: Spontaneous Improvisation with Large, Public School Instrumental Ensembles.
- M.M. Conducting, University of Manitoba, Canada 2004
- Bachelor's degree. Music (Honours), University of Saskatchewan, Canada 2000
- Bachelor's degree. Education (Honours), University of Saskatchewan, Canada 2000
Conducting
In addition to numerous regional engagements, Caslor conducted the 2016 National Youth Band of Canada and has presented his research at the 2016 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the 2015 WASBE International Conference, and the 2013 CBDNA National Conference. Upcoming opportunites include conducting the 2018 South Dakota All State Band, the 2018 South Dakota Intercollegiate Band, the 2017 Alberta Wind Symphony, and the 2018 Ontario Provincial Honor Band.Digital Mediated Technology
One of my two WASBE presentations focused on an iPad App I currently am developing with a colleague in Memorial University’s Department of Computer Science. Together, we have successfully designed a prototype of Connect!, a user-friendly program that provides a pristine audio exchange, allowing musicians to interact with fellow artists from around the world via the Internet. This is similar to programs like Skype or FaceTime, but with uncompressed, high fidelity audio. Our work has received over $15,000 in departmental and university funding and was included in MUN’s 2014 Research Report (http://www.mun.ca/research/explore/publications/2014report/research/).
Contemporary Improvisation
My main doctoral research explored spontaneous improvisation with large, public school instrumental ensembles. I have continued my work in this area and in 2014 was invited to be part of a $2.5M project shared between 12 Canadian universities, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. This is the primary federal funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Titled the “International Institute For Critical Studies in Improvisation,” the project aims to use improvisation as a teaching and learning tool, and improve society by bringing together the arts, scholarship and collaborative action.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Caslor, J. (2013). Forty Years of the Gower Band Program. Canadian Winds. 12(1), 40-42.
Caslor, J. (2011). “Stop, Look and Listen” - 10 Thoughts for the Podium. Canadian Winds.10(1), 35-37.
Caslor, J. (2011). Study Guide for Paul Suchan’s A Study of: The Colours and Contrasts of Grief. Canadian Winds, 9(2), 72-74.
CD Reviews
Caslor, J. (2014). North Winds IV: Canadian Wind Band Music [CD]. University of Manitoba. Canadian Winds. 12(2), 40.
Grants and Funding
SSHRC/Vice President’s Research Grant: Connecting In High Fidelity Across the Internet (Principal Investigator). $6831.98.
President’s and Provost’s Fund for Scholarship in the Arts: The Use of Telematics for Large Ensemble Conducting and Teaching in Mid-Size Universities (Co-Principle Investigator). $8,000. 2014.
President’s and Provost’s Fund for Scholarship in the Arts: Alexander Technique Residency (Research Collaborator). 2014.
SSHRC Partnership Grant: International Institute For Critical Studies in Improvisation (Research Collaborator; Principle Investigator: Ajay Heble, University of Guelph). 2013-2018.
Distance Education, Learning and Teaching Support Grant: Increasing Students’ Interaction with the Art of our Time through Telematic Delivery (Principle Investigator). $5,000. 2012-2014.
Vice-President (Research) IRIF Start-Up Grant: Reframing the Relationship between a Conductor and an Ensemble (Principle Investigator). $5,000. 2012-2014.
Arts Education Partnership Initiative: Vive Voce (Content and curriculum designer as Resident Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra). $27,666. 2008-2009.
Ontario Arts Council Education Project: Adventures in Music (Content and curriculum designer as Resident Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra). $12,000. 2006.
Ontario Arts Council Education Project: Raising the Bar (Content and curriculum designer as Resident Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra). $12,000. 2005.
Presentations
“Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II,” Arizona Music Educators Association In Service Conference, Mesa, AZ, January 2016.
“CONNECT! High-Fidelity Virtual Rehearsals with the Click of a Button,” World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference, San Jose, CA, July 2015.
“Giya Kancheli’s Magnum Ignotum for Wind Ensemble: Composing in the Present without Compromising the Past,” World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference, San Jose, CA, July 2015.
”Looking Back To Move Forward,” Saskatchewan Music Conference, Regina, SK, November 2013.
“From Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side: Ensemble Empowerment”
Saskatchewan Music Conference, Regina, SK, November 2013.
Quebec Band Association’s Annual Conference (Glissando), Orford, QC, October 2012.
Eastern School District Professional Development Day, St. John’s, NL, October 2011.
“Stop, Look and Listen—10 Thoughts for the Podium”
Saskatchewan Music Conference, Regina, SK, November 2013.
Quebec Band Association’s Annual Conference (Glissando), Orford, QC, October 2012.
“Thinking Outside of the Box to Cover the Curriculum,” C2C Summer Institute 2013, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education, St. John’s, NL, June 2013.
“Connect! Determining A Best Practice For Internet-based Rehearsals/Clinics,” College Band Directors National Association, National Conference, Greensboro, NC, March 2013.
“Programming for Success,” Quebec Band Association’s Annual Conference (Glissando), Orford, QC, October 2012.
“Composing for Band,” Newfound Music Festival, Memorial University, January 2012.
“Teaching from the Podium,” Arts Work Conference, St. John’s, NL, November 2011.
“Spontaneous Factory: An Approach to Improvisation for Large Instrumental Ensembles”
Nova Scotia Music Educators Association Annual Conference, Dartmouth, NS, October 2010.
Canadian Wind Conductors Development Program, Winnipeg, MB, July 2010.
“Stravinsky: Demystifying the Octet,” Canadian Wind Conductors Development Program, Winnipeg, MB, July 2008, July 2009, July 2010.
Recordings
“100 Greatest Dance Hits,” Saxophone, Sylvie Proulx (guitar) and various other artists, CBC Radio 1 and 2, 2011
“Rita Chiarelli with the Thunder Bay Symphony: Uptown Goes Downtown,” Conductor, Rita Chiarelli (vocals), Mad Iris Music, 2008, Nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards
“Footprints,” Conductor, Pat Stuckemeyer (euphonium), ASU Wind Ensemble, 2008, Potenza Music, World premiere recording of Fields of Destruction by Peter Meechan
Courses
2025 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 591 | Seminar |
MUP 554 | Repertoire Score Study |
2024 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 496 | Performance |
MUP 495 | Performance |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 493 | Honors Thesis |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
2024 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 591 | Seminar |
2023 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 496 | Performance |
MUP 495 | Performance |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 493 | Honors Thesis |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 540 | Princ of Integrated Conducting |
2023 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 554 | Repertoire Score Study |
2022 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 496 | Performance |
MUP 495 | Performance |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 493 | Honors Thesis |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 540 | Princ of Integrated Conducting |
2022 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 591 | Seminar |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
2021 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 496 | Performance |
MUP 495 | Performance |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 493 | Honors Thesis |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 540 | Princ of Integrated Conducting |
2021 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 591 | Seminar |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 554 | Repertoire Score Study |
2020 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 496 | Performance |
MUP 495 | Performance |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 493 | Honors Thesis |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
2020 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
MUP 527 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 727 | Studio Instruction |
MUP 591 | Seminar |
MUP 442 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 542 | Instrumental Ensembles |
MUP 596 | Solo Performance |
MUP 796 | Solo Performance |
MUP 790 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 597 | Solo Performance |
MUP 590 | Reading and Conference |
MUP 499 | Individualized Instruction |
MUP 598 | Special Topics |