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THE EAST IDAHO COMMUNITY BAND
Casey Emerson, Conductor
Great Music and a place to belong.
Who We Are
We are the premiere community band in the Idaho Falls community dedicated to inclusion, positivity, and service. The East Idaho Community Band is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment where individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels can come together to share the joy of music. We strive to create a positive and supportive space that encourages personal growth, artistic expression, and collaboration. Through the power of music, we aim to strengthen community bonds, celebrate diversity, and inspire a sense of unity and belonging for all members and our audience alike.
Our Vision
Our vision is to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive musical community where members are empowered to grow both as musicians and as individuals. We envision a space where people of all skill levels come together to explore their musical potential, build confidence, and foster personal development. By embracing diversity and nurturing positivity, we aspire to create an environment that encourages collaboration, celebrates creativity, and fosters a lifelong love of music. Through this shared journey, we aim to uplift one another, enrich our community, and inspire the world around us.
“In this community band, the joy of our music making is coupled with the joy of belonging. Together, we create something greater than ourselves.”
Band Member
★★★★★
“It’s amazing what happens when people from all walks of life come together to make something beautiful.”
Band Member
★★★★★
“Band nerds unite! We’ve got the music, the friendships, and occasionally… matching shirts.”
Band Member
★★★★★
“I joined to play music. I stayed because of the people.”
Band Member
★★★★★
“Dr. Baldwin lifts the room the moment he walks in. He makes us want to play better—not out of pressure, but because it’s just so much fun to follow his lead.”
Band Member
★★★★★
“He [Dr. Baldwin] has got a doctorate, international commissions, and a résumé a mile long—yet when he’s in front of us, it’s all about the joy of the music and the agony of bad jokes. That’s what makes him amazing.”
Band Member
★★★★★
Join the Band Today!
2026 SEASON:
April
3
ROAD TO SPACE
Star Wars Medley, Jupiter from the Planets, Stardust, Sweet New Moon, Star Trek Through the Years and Journey of a Comet
Ron Hinkle, Alto Sax Soloist
7:00 pm at Bonneville High School Auditorium, Ammon, Idaho
2025 SEASON:
MARCH
13
THE MUSIC OF JAMES BARNES
Sixth Symphony, Heart of America March, Autumn Serenade, Music from Girl Crazy
Kristen Bull, Oboe Soloist
Ted Burgess, Trombone Soloist
7:30 pm at Rocky Mountain Middle School, Ammon, Idaho
MAY
24
Cinco de Mayo
3 pm at Shilo Inn, Idaho Falls
More details soon
June
JUNE 10 – CONCERT ON THE RIVER
Presented by the Idaho Falls Arts Council
7:00 pm at the Greenbelt Stage, East side of the river between D and E Streets, Idaho Falls, Idaho
JUNE 14 – CONCERT AT FREEMAN PARK
Presented by the Ear Community https://earcommunity.org/
11:00 am at Freeman Park, Idaho Falls, Idaho
JUNE 16 – SPRING CONCERT AT THE COLONIAL THEATER
Music by Frackenpohl, Sparke, Spears, et. al
Dr. Matthew Morris, Bassoon Soloist
7:30 PM at the Colonial Theater, 450 “A” Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho
nOVEMBER
11
NOVEMBER 11 – SCOOPIE NIGHT AT CULVERS
4:00 – 8:00 PM 946 Pancheri Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Come to Culvers, grab a bite to eat and meet some of the band members! 10% of all proceeds taken in while we are there are donated to the band. Come have some fun, enjoy some GREAT food and support the band!
December
9
DECEMBER 9 – A CELTIC WINTER
Music from the United Kingdom
7:00 pm at the Bonneville High School Auditorium, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Rehearsal Schedule
Monday Evenings at 7:00pm at Hillcrest High School Band Room
How do I join?
Just show up to rehearsal with your instrument! We meet on Monday evenings at 7pm in the band room at Hillcrest High School.
When and how long are rehearsals?
We meet every Monday night at 7pm until 8:30pm, excluding most holidays and director requested days off.
Where do I park?
There is a direct entrance to the band room on the back (west) side of the high school. Use the parking lot on the west side of the school, then walk south; you will find an entrance just a bit south of the parking lot. Or … just follow the crowd!
Can I check out an instrument from the band?
Unfortunately, not at this time. We do have access to percussion instruments and equipment, but we do not yet own our own instruments to check out to members.
How do I get music to look at?
Come to a rehearsal and sit in! If possible, please email us with at least 48 hours advanced notice to give the best possible chance of having another folder ready for you upon your arrival.
What is the concert attire?
We wear concert black. All black dress shoes, dress socks, dress pants, button down black shirt (long sleeves preferred). Ladies may wear an ankle length black dress, if desired, or may wear the listed attire above.
We also have polo shirts to wear at informal concerts. They can be purchased via the band board members.
PAST CONCERTS
What we’ve done!
12/09/2025 A CELTIC WINTER (Music from the Emerald Isles to warm an Idaho Eve)
08/29/2025 MOVIE NIGHT AT FREEMAN PARK (Music by John Powell, Howard Shore, and more)
06/16/2025 SPRING CONCERT AT THE COLONIAL THEATER (Music by Frackenpohl, Sparke, Spears, et. al; Dr. Matthew Morris, Bassoon Soloist)
06/14/2025 CONCERT AT FREEMAN PARK (Presented by the Ear Community https://earcommunity.org)
06/10/2025 CONCERT ON THE RIVER (Presented by the Idaho Falls Arts Council)
05/24/2025 CINCO DE MAYO (On the 24th!)
3/13/2025 MUSIC OF JAMES BARNES (Music by James Barnes and J. Ed. Barat)
12/5/2024 AROUND the WORLD in 80 MINUTES (Music by Hazo, Cesarini, Stuart, Hannickel, Washburn, Hanssen, Simmons)
8/29/2024 SHOWSTOPPERS! (Music by Barker, Sousa, Holst, Grainger, Reineke, Spears)
6/7/2024 WHAT DO WE DO WITH A DRUNKEN SAILOR? (Music by Carter, Reed, Baldwin, Whear, Fillmore, Whitacre, Hull)
3/13/2024 STRUCTURES (Music by Osterling, McAllister, Reed, Forrest, Balmages)
12/6/2023 A FESTIVE CONCERT in collaboration with Anam Cara (Music by Allen, Baldwin, Rutter, Whitacre, Tin/Conway)
08/30/2023 SUMMER CONCERT (Music by Balmages, Ticheli, Holst, Barker)
06/17/2023 ZOO-LA PALOOZA! (Music by Ewazen, Whitacre, Standridge, Daugherty, Bukvich, Spineti, Sousa, Saint Saens/Curnow, Mancini/Stuart)
04/05/2023 BACK IN TIME (Music by Anderson, Doss, Erickson, Tchaikovsky/Goldman, Silvestri/Sweeney)
11/18/2022 VOICES (Music by Stamp, Erickson, Hazo, Latham, Sparke, Zimmer/Custer)
Casey Emerson, Conductor
Mr. Emerson joined the band as our conductor September 1, 2024.
Casey Emerson is the director of bands at Hillcrest High School in Ammon, ID. At Hillcrest, he directs two concert bands, percussion ensemble, two jazz bands, and is a co-director of the award-winning High Desert Marching Band. He has 15 years of experience in music education spread among many schools in southeastern Idaho. He also serves as the conductor of the Eastern Idaho Community Band, and a founding co-director of the Snake River New Horizons Band. Casey is in demand throughout the state of Idaho as a clinician for music festivals and honor groups. He has served as the Gem State Band Chair (2023-25), and as the Idaho All-State Band Chair (2018).
Casey has performed as a saxophonist and pianist with many local jazz groups, the Eastern Idaho Saxophone Quartet, the Idaho State Civic Symphony, the Idaho Falls Symphony, and for many opera and musical productions on instruments ranging from flute to French horn.
Mr. 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. 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.
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, where he currently lives with his wife Rachel and two children.
Support the East Idaho Community Band
The East Idaho Community Band, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we rely on the generous support of our community to continue sharing music throughout East Idaho. Your donations help us:
🎼 Purchase musical scores and equipment
🏛️ Cover venue rental costs
🎺 Support other essential band expenses
If you’d like to contribute, scan the QR code below to donate via PayPal, or visit PayPal’s website and send your contribution to our account: East Idaho Community Band.
Your donation may be tax-deductible under IRS Code Section 170. Thank you for supporting live community music!
