Casey Emerson is a graduate of the University of Idaho, where he received bachelor’s degrees in music education and composition, and a master’s degree in saxophone performance. Mr. Emerson has performed throughout the northwest in various ensembles including chamber groups, jazz bands, and as a soloist. As a member of the Silver Saxophone Quartet, Casey was asked to perform at the MENC NW Division Biennial Conference in Spokane, WA in February 2009. During his time at the University of Idaho, Casey was also a member of the prestigious Jazz Band I, where he had the opportunity to play on stage with artists such as Dick Oatts, Claudio Roditi, John Clayton, Gerald Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. He has released two albums as a member of the Alloy Saxophone Quartet, one containing the music of Viennese composer Nancy Van de Vate, and another for composer Alan Blank.
After graduation, Casey taught in Pocatello School District #25 for six years, where he had the opportunity to direct concert, jazz, and marching bands at both the middle school and high school levels. He currently serves as a founding co-director of the Snake River New Horizons Band, a concert band for senior citizens which has grown from a small beginning music class to a service-oriented community organization that performs regularly at assisted living facilities and local events. Locally, Casey has performed as a saxophonist with the Jazz House Big Band, the Eastern Idaho Saxophone Quartet, the Idaho State Civic Symphony, in jazz combos, and is in demand for opera and musical productions on instruments ranging from flute to French horn. He is an adjunct teacher at Idaho State University, teaches private lessons in saxophone & jazz studies, and is in demand as a local clinician.
His teachers include Vanessa Sielert, Jim Pisano, Yiannis Miralis, and Vern Sielert and he has performed in masterclasses with Eugene Rousseau and Dick Oatts. He has also studied arranging and composition with Dan Bukvich and Robert Dickow.
Casey is a native of southern Idaho. He was born in Pocatello and finished high school in Jerome.