Time:
Thursday
December, 15, 2016
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Location:
Ballroom W196
Category
HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
TBD
Champaign Central High School Jazz Ensemble
Conductor's Bio
John Currey is Director of Instrumental Music at Champaign Central High School in Champaign, Illinois. Mr. Currey received his training at the University of Massachusetts as a saxophone student of Lynn Klock and Yusef Lateef, and at the University of Illinois where he studied with Debra Richtmeyer and Ron Bridgewater. Mr. Currey has also been strongly influenced by educators Malcom Rowell, Dave Sporny, George Parks, James F. Keene, Gary Smith, Dr. Tom Birkner, Dr. Joe Manfredo, Mary Hoffman, and John Garvey.
Central High School has a diverse student population of about 1200 students. At Central, he and his wife Jennifer co-direct many award winning ensembles including three concert bands, three jazz bands, two jazz combo’s, the marching maroons, (a volunteer marching band with 200 marching members), pep band and the orchestra. Under Mr. Currey’s leadership, many student ensembles at Central have had the opportunity to travel and play all across the country at festivals, Concerts, Clinic’s and Parades including, The Essentially Ellington Festival in New York (Three Times 2005, 2007, 2012) The Monterey Jazz Festival in CA (2006), Savannah Jazz Festival (twice 2011, 2012 in 2012 he had 2 jazz bands perform at the Savannah Jazz Festival), Berklee Jazz Festival, North Texas Jazz festival, The Midwest Clinic (twice 2002, 2007), ABC Dunkin Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Nations Day Parade in New York City, Peach Bowl Parade, Disney Parade of Bands, Performance At MENC Headquarters in Reston Virginia, Performance at IMEA and annually at The Illinois Superstate Band Festival.
Prior to his appointment at Central in 1998, Mr. Currey taught in Munster, Indiana and in the Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools.
John Currey performed all over the country with the World Champion Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990 and 1991. He returned to the Cadets as a member of the teaching staff in 1992 and 1993. Mr. Currey was also a member of the Odyssey Saxophone Quartet, which won the Coleman and Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions in 1995. He was also the winner of the University of Illinois Concerto Competition in 1995.
Mr. Currey is active as a clinician and guest conductor for district festivals and music camps. He has directed 5 of Illinois’ 9 district Jazz Bands, and has had the pleasure of directing the Illinois All State Jazz Band. He also frequently serves as an adjudicator for various concert and jazz band festivals in the Midwest.
John Currey is a member of MENC, and JEN. He has served for five years as the IMEA Jazz Division, Vice President. Mr. Currey has also served as the Chairman of the All State Jazz Band.
Back