John E. Casagrande  served as Director of Bands at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax County, Virginia from 1982-2000, Mount Vernon (VA) High School from 1978-1982, East Stroudsburg (PA) from 1968-1978 and in the Wissahickon (PA) schools from 1963-1968. 
He joined the faculty of George Mason University as in the fall of 1997 as an Adjunct Professor of Music and was promoted to a full-time contract as an Associate Professor of Music in 2002.   Included in his duties at George Mason are the Symphonic Band, Chamber Winds, Instrumental Music Methods courses and Student Teacher Supervisor.
Receiving both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ithaca College where he was graduate assistant to the legendary Walter Beeler, Casagrande has also done graduate study at Temple University, West Chester University, Hartt School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, the University of Virginia and George Mason University.   

His honors include election to the American Bandmasters Association and the American School Band Directors Association, four “Citations of Excellence” from the National Band Association, the Sudler Flag of Honor, the “Mac Award” from First Chair of America, “Who’s Who in American Education”, five awards for “Professional Excellence” from the Fairfax County School Board, W.T. Woodson High School “Teacher of the Year” and finalist for Fairfax County “Teacher of the Year”.