Mark A. Casey

William R. Boone High School

Band Director  1962-1986

 

     Mark Casey grew his roots for music in Jackson, Tennessee as a member of the school choir.  Seventeen and unable to enter the armed services as his older brothers had done, Mark pleaded with his parents for their signature to enlist. After serving in the Pacific during World War II, he followed his father’s footsteps working for the railroad.  A year and a half later he used his GI benefits to attend Murray State College in Kentucky.  It was at Murray State that Mr. Casey formed lifelong friendships with Dan McGrew (band director at Howard and Meadowbrook Junior Highs) and Moe Lowe, a Central Florida musician and businessman who is still playing in his band at 73. 

     His good friends came to Florida and Mr. Casey began his internship at Milan High in Tennessee where he met his wife, La Ouida.  Mr. Casey became a band director in Tennessee and with the encouragement of Mr. Lowe, he had the opportunity to fill a position at Glenridge Junior High in Winter Park. The Casey family moved to Winter Park just weeks before the beginning of school in the fall of 1959. 

After three years at Glenridge, Mr. Casey was offered the opening at Boone. It was here that he put his mark on the band program. The Boone band became legendary for its sound and abilities. Due to Mr. Casey’s diligence, a rating of straight superiors (1’s) was the normal grade in district and state contests. Mr. Casey kept that up until his retirement in 1986. 

Mark Casey was one of a few Central Florida band directors elected to “Phi Beta Mu,” the National Honorary Music Fraternity.   If he wasn’t playing his clarinet or baritone sax or directing the band, Mr. Casey was “Dad” to Susan, Mark III and Timothy.  After retiring from Boone, Mr. Casey remained surrounded by music as a concert judge and according to Mrs. Casey, also became quite a chef.

Mr. Casey enriched all of our lives - thousands of band students - and by placing his name on the new band room, both current and future musicians will benefit from his story and deeds.  Mark Casey passed away on December 7, 1991.

 

 

                    Then…                                              Now…