JASON CASSELL
Bachelors in Music Education (BM) Percussion - Wayne State University 2001
Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching (MAT) - Marygrove College 2005
My musical direction began in 5th grade (1986) with Mr. Bass. I began on trumpet and then moved into percussion. I have prided myself on being very eclectic in music taste.
I have performed rock, pop, country, small combo jazz, big band, funk, blues, r&b, heavy metal, industrial, and classical music.
Performance venues I have played at include: numerous community/high school auditoriums, Freedom Hill Amphitheatre & Park, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Meadowbrook, Detroit's Orchestra Hall, Emerald Theatre, Royal Oak Music Theatre, and the Fox Theatre. I have recorded rock, pop, metal, and classical music on both drum set and percussion.
Summary of College Musical Experience:
Principal Percussionist with the Wayne State University Symphonic Band (1996 - 1998)
Assistant Principal Percussionist with the Wayne State University Orchestra (1997 - 1998)
Undergraduate Student Conductor of the Wayne State University Wind Symphony (1998)
Member of the Wayne State University Percussion Ensemble (1994 - 1998)
Member of the Wayne State University Pep Band (1995 - 1997) Coordinator of Pep Band in 1997 &1999
Equipment manager for the Wayne State University Symphonic Band & Percussion Ensemble (1996 - 1997)
General Manager of the Wayne State University Symphonic Band (1997 - 1998)
Professional Musical Experience:
Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, Southern Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra, Livonia Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra, Southfield Symphony Orchestra, Grosse Point Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Concert Chorale, Madison Chorale, Pontiac-Oakland Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Canton, Plymouth Symphony Orchestra, Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center (DYPAC), Southgate Community Players, Wyandotte Community Theatre, Detroit Lions Pro Band, Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra and The Johnny Trudell Orchestra (percussion & drum set). Freelance percussionist for various projects (Nutcracker performances, church productions, school musicals, etc..)
Performer with professional musical acts including: Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Don Rickles, Bobby Vinton (more bongos!), Lady Sunshine & the X Band,
Connie Francis, James Darrin, Bobby Rydell, Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Anne Murray, Sal Richards, the Irish Tenors, and Glen Campbell
Former principal percussionist with the Shoreline Concert Band & Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra
Timpanist with the Meadowbrook Congregational Church (1996 - 1997)
Timpanist with the Sacred Hart Church (1998)
Musical performer with ‘Wyandotte Community Theater’ (1996 - 1997)
Musical performer with the ‘Actors Company’ (1998)
Music director/conductor for 'Wyandotte Community Theater’ (1996 - 1999)
Drummer with the Detroit Lions Band - as needed (1999 – 2004)
Director of the Detroit Lions "Docs 'n 'Jocs" Pep Band (1998 - 1999)
Founding member of the Pop/Funk band Tripphorn Solution (1996 - 2001)
Member of the Metro-Detroit based rock band - Downriver Zero (2007 - present)
Studio/session work on various rock, pop, and jazz projects
Musical Education in Percussion:
Two years of instruction from Joseph Tortenesi (Drum Set)
Two years of Instruction from Samuel Tundo (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) – Mallets/Snare Drum
Three years of instruction from Keith Claeys (Detroit Symphony Orchestra Affiliate) – Timpani/Snare Drum/Mallets/Accessories
Other Positions / Jobs Held:
Member of the United States Professional Tennis Association - USPTA
Director of the Summer Tennis Program for the City of Taylor (2003 - present)
Tennis coach for Kennedy High School - Taylor, MI (2001 – 2007)
Tennis coach for Truman High School - Taylor, MI (2008)
Member of the Vic Firth Educational Team (2000 – present)
Assistant to the Director of Entertainment for the Detroit Lions National Football League organization (1997 - 2002)
Composer / arranger of percussion music for the Truman High School Marching Band (1992 - 2000)
Percussion Instructor for the Truman High School Marching Band (1994 - 2000)
Drill designer for the Truman High School Marching Band (1997, 2001, 2003)
Percussion Instructor for the Roseville High School Marching Band (1995)
Percussion Instructor for the Chippewa Valley High School (1998)
Percussion Instructor for the Lakeview High School Marching Band (1998 - 1999)
Percussion Instructor for the Divine Child High School Marching Band (1999)
Private Teacher at the Ronnie Dodich Music / Southland Music Center (1994 - 2001)
Music Instructor for the Highland Park Summer Music Program - sponsored by United Way (Summer 1996)
Guest speaker for the Explorer Division of the Boy Scouts of America (1998)
Clinician for percussion and conducting classes and events at Wayne State University in Percussion (2000)
Musical Performer / Coordinator for the Detroit Lions “Docs-n-Jocs” Charity Event (1995 -1997)
Umpire for the City of Romulus Little League Baseball District XXII (1996 - 1998)