Colby Powers, Concert Orchestra
Born and raised in Aurora Colorado, Colby Powers has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University. He currently attends Illinois State University as he pursues his Masters of Music in Wind Band Conducting. His duties include assisting with the Big Red Marching Machine, Pep Band, assisting with undergraduate conducting courses, as well as guest conducting the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and University Band. While his primary instrument is the clarinet, he has also taken lessons and performed on the alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and bassoon. Colby has played in Orchestras, Wind Ensembles, Jazz bands, Jazz Combos, and Musical Pits at both the collegiate level and as a gigging musician. Professionally, Colby has made a name for himself in Bloomington-Normal as a jazz band director, private studio teacher, performer and conductor. Since 2023, Colby has been an Assistant Jazz Band Director with the Normal West High School jazz bands, where he directs the “Jazz Katz” ensemble. In 2024, Colby added an additional jazz band position as a Jazz Director at George Evans Junior High. In both positions, Mr. Powers has been responsible for leading and scheduling rehearsals, choosing appropriate music, and preparing for performances. Outside of teaching in the public schools, Colby’s personal studio is currently made up of over 14 students all from a wide variety of backgrounds. Colby is also a teacher through Illinois Wesleyans preparatory program which supplies lessons to local kids in the Bloomington-Normal Area. As an up and coming music educator Colby strives to inspire his students to follow their passion and go find what makes them happy in this world.
Born and raised in Aurora Colorado, Colby Powers has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University. He currently attends Illinois State University as he pursues his Masters of Music in Wind Band Conducting. His duties include assisting with the Big Red Marching Machine, Pep Band, assisting with undergraduate conducting courses, as well as guest conducting the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and University Band. While his primary instrument is the clarinet, he has also taken lessons and performed on the alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and bassoon. Colby has played in Orchestras, Wind Ensembles, Jazz bands, Jazz Combos, and Musical Pits at both the collegiate level and as a gigging musician. Professionally, Colby has made a name for himself in Bloomington-Normal as a jazz band director, private studio teacher, performer and conductor. Since 2023, Colby has been an Assistant Jazz Band Director with the Normal West High School jazz bands, where he directs the “Jazz Katz” ensemble. In 2024, Colby added an additional jazz band position as a Jazz Director at George Evans Junior High. In both positions, Mr. Powers has been responsible for leading and scheduling rehearsals, choosing appropriate music, and preparing for performances. Outside of teaching in the public schools, Colby’s personal studio is currently made up of over 14 students all from a wide variety of backgrounds. Colby is also a teacher through Illinois Wesleyans preparatory program which supplies lessons to local kids in the Bloomington-Normal Area. As an up and coming music educator Colby strives to inspire his students to follow their passion and go find what makes them happy in this world.