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Scott J. Casagrande was Director of Bands at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL for 22 years and retired in June 2021 after completing 33 years of teaching in Illinois Public Schools. He taught high school, middle school, and elementary students in suburban, urban, and rural settings over the course of his teaching career.
In addition to his role with Music for All, Mr. Casagrande is also a consultant with MusicFirst software, as well as an administrator for the Dr. William P. Foster Project serving bands in historically under-served and under-resourced communities. He is a Past-President of the National Band Association and served the NBA as a member of the Executive Committee for eight years. Mr. Casagrande has been nominated and inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, and the American School Band Directors Association. He has received 22 Citation of Excellence Awards from the National Band Association and he has been recognized by former President Barack Obama, the US Senate, the US House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, School District 214, Plainfield HS, Stephen Decatur HS, and John Hersey HS.
Under Mr. Casagrande’s direction, the John Hersey Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble performed as a featured ensemble in the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Ensembles under Mr. Casagrande’s direction were selected to perform in 24 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festivals, two Illinois Music Educators Association Conventions, and four Music for All National Concert Band Festivals. The Hersey Symphonic Band was named the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival Honor Band four times and the band program was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor by the Sousa Foundation.
Mr. Casagrande has published several articles in trade magazines and he has made presentations throughout the United States at state and national conferences. He maintains a very active clinician schedule throughout the year.