Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Bari), Flute, Clarinet, Educator

A professional musician and educator for over 25 years,

Michael is Director of

Big City Dixieland Band

McHenry City Band (Jazz Big Band)

Musical Partnership with Maureen Christine

         

Michael Bazan earned his Bachelors of Music Education.

Upon completion of his undergraduate degree,

he earned a Talented Musician Scholarship that allowed him

to pursue his Master’s Degree at DePaul University.

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Michael Bazan is currently enjoying his 24 years as Director of Bands at Wredling Middle School. Under his leadership, Wredling Middle School Bands have received accolades and numerous awards.  Michael directs the Jazz Ensemble and co-directs the Honors Concert Band. Under Michael’s guidance, both musical groups have excelled, earning awards in all enrolled competitions. His concert bands have developed into award-winning groups. They have won many “Music in the Parks” competitions, and have receiving first-place ratings at IGSMA music competitions.  In 2008/09, The Wredling Jazz Ensemble received the highest award, the “Honors Organization Rating” at IGSMA State Competition.

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As a professional musician, Michael has played saxophone, flute, and clarinet, with a number of musical legends, including Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Frankie Valley, The Platters, The Four Tops, The Buckinghams, Rob McConnel, The Shirelles, Milton Berle, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra and legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis.  Michael has also performed in various symphony orchestras, including the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Galesburg Symphony. An active musician, Michael continues to learn and perform in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest.  His musicianship can be appreciated on numerous commercials and several “Veggie Tales” videos.

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Michael’s expertise is known and appreciated, as he is in demand as an adjudicator for saxophone competitions at the “Jazz in the Meadows” and “All State” auditions. Michael is the performing director of The McHenry City Band, a Jazz Big Band ensemble that performs a weekly community summer concert series in downtown McHenry.  Michael also produced and recorded two nationally released musical CDs with Maureen Christine, his wife and a professional singer.

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To broaden and refine his musical experience, Michael has been a saxophone professor at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music instructor for over 20 years. Since 1982, he has also served as an adjunct faculty music instructor at McHenry County College (MCC). At MCC, he directs the jazz ensemble and teaches woodwind instruction. Michael has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Harper College, and Judson College. Committed to music as an adjudicator, professional musician and guest conductor, Michael balances his professional life both as a highly-regarded woodwindist and a recognized first-rate music educator.