Wind Bands workshop

Director of Bands
Associate Professor of Music
Arizona State University

Jason Caslor, an educational clinician for Conn-Selmer, directs the wind ensemble, mentors graduate conducting students and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting courses. From 2015-19, Caslor served as assistant professor and associate director of bands and orchestras at ASU. From 2010-15, he 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 instrumental conducting programs. Caslor spent three seasons as resident conductor with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra where 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, He spent several years as an instrumental and choral instructor in the public school system . 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 and has presented his work at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the WASBE International Conference, and the CBDNA National Conference., He completed his doctorate in conducting at ASU, a master's in conducting from the University of Manitoba and dual bachelor's in music and education from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Associate Director of Bands
Assistant Professor of Music
Arizona State University

Jamal Duncan joined the faculty of Arizona State University in Fall of 2020 as associate director of bands and assistant professor of instrumental conducting. His primary responsibilities are conducting the Wind Symphony and teaching classes in conducting. A winner of the 2022 American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble conducting, Duncan has conducted and adjudicated ensembles of all levels throughout the U.S. and internationally. Duncan is also committed to programming music that tells the stories of different cultures with an intentional focus on the diverse composers who tell these stories. Duncan received the doctor of musical arts in wind conducting and a master of music in wind conducting degrees from Michigan State University where he studied with Dr. Kevin L. Sedatole. Duncan received a bachelor of music degree from the University of Michigan with a dual emphasis in clarinet performance and music education.

Former Director of Bands
University of Illinois

Dr. Stephen Peterson was Director of Bands at the University of Illinois from 2015 to 2022. As Director, he also conducted the Wind Symphony, led the graduate wind conducting program, and taught courses in wind literature. Prior to his appointment to the University of Illinois, Peterson was the Director of Bands at Ithaca College for seventeen years, and from 1988-1998 served as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University, where he received his Doctor of Music degree in wind conducting. 

Outside of his work at the university, Peterson conducts ensembles and holds clinics, and is a member of numerous music education and band associations, including the American Bandmasters Association. He was also president of the College Band Directors National Association.

Associate Director of Bands
Emeritus Professor
University of Illinois

Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, Emeritus Professor, retired from her position as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois School of Music. Peterson conducted the Illinois Wind Orchestra, served as the placement coordinator for student teachers and taught several courses in instrumental conducting. Prior to her appointment at the University of Illinois, Peterson was a tenured professor of music education at the Ithaca College School of Music. During the seventeen years she spent at Ithaca College, Peterson conducted numerous ensembles including the Symphonic Band, Brass Choir and All-Campus Band. She taught courses in conducting, undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, and supervised student teachers. Peterson was the co-conductor of the Ithaca Concert Band, an adult community band for fifteen years.

Dr. Peterson continues to be active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and school music consultant. She presents clinics at the local, state and national levels in the field of music education and has published two books: “The Music Teachers First Year: Tales of Challenge Joy and Triumph,” and “The Music Teacher’s Later Years: Reflection with Wisdom.”