Casey Doremus

After the summer of my freshman year I was asked to think of a way to show people God in my own community. I planned out a weekend program called "Project Washington" that focused on doing community service projects in my home town. From this I learned that there is a point you have to say to yourself "I am going to do this, no matter what."

One night in high school I went home and composed a piece for the non-existant ska band. I showed a couple guys and that's when I told myself "I am going to do this, no matter what." The group was called "Jake Norris and the Caution Boys." I learned a lot from organizing rehearsals and gigs to starting composing.

My senior year of high school I composed a piece called "Ironclads." I entered it into the Illinois Music Education Association's Allstate competition where I recieved 3rd place in the large ensemble catagory.

I started my college studies at Illinois Central College where I was in the colleges top vocal ensemble "Vocal Jazz Ensemble Blue." I wanted to find a way to keep in "musical" shape the next summer. So I started "The Original Skazz Band" out of my garage. This group has been running since the summer of 2011. I have composed over 80 pieces for the group in that time. The group performs music from artists such as Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and some of my original pieces. The group had the honor of performing with Illinois Central Jazz Train, Jazz Society House Band, and Vocal Jazz Blue. The band recorded in september of 2012 their first album entitled "Can't Wait For Christmas."

As a percussion teacher I am really focused on educating the younger generation on Jazz and other forms of music. In the summer of 2012 I told myself "I am going to do this, no matter what." I put together a Junior High jazz program called "The Junior Skazz Band" again out of my garage. The point of this group is to get kids playing over the summer and introducing them to some basic elements of soloing over a 12 bar blues.

I have also had the honor of sitting in with lots of great groups/organizations such as: Peoria Pops Orchestra, Peoria Pops Swing/Dixieland Band, Pekin Municiple Band, The Gus Gustafson Band, Praire Winds Ensemble, Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, Jim Markum, Harold Greene Trio, Noodles and Chicken Jazz Quintet, Nathan See Trio, Peoria Players Theater, Cornstock Theater, Bradley University Theater, IMEA Combo work.