Scott Rush
Director Emeritus
Wando High School, SC
Biography
Scott Rush is the team lead for the Habits series (GIA Publications, Inc.) and is the former Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and the University of South Carolina. He currently serves as co-conductor of the Charleston Wind Symphony, a semi-professional ensemble in Charleston, South Carolina.
Under his direction, the Wando Symphonic Band performed at the 2007 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and were recipients of the 2007 Sudler Flag of Honor administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. His marching bands were two-time BOA Grand National finalist.
Mr. Rush is active as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. He is the author and co-author of fourteen highly touted books, some of which include: Habits of A Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Habits of a Successful Musician, Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician, The Evolution of a Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Middle School Band Director, Habits of a Significant Band Director and Pathway to Success for GIA Publications. Mr. Rush has served as President of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. is a former member of the Board of Directors for the National Band Association, and currently serves as President of the Servant Leadership Association for Music (SLAM). In 2010, Mr. Rush was elected into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and in 2011 was awarded the Bandworld “Legion of Honor.” In 2016, he was awarded the Edwin Franko Goldman Award by the ASBDA for contributions to music education. He is currently in the South Carolina Band Directors Association Hall of Fame, as well as the Phi Beta Mu (Theta Chapter) Hall of Fame.
Session Titles
Creating Habits of Success in the Young Band
Teacher
A strong pedagogical and musical foundation is crucial to the artistic development of young bands. Rush will address the first days of instruction, transitioning to the “small instrument,” basic solfege instruction, rhythm vocabulary, first-time challenges, developmentally appropriate musical teaching strategies, fundamentals time and necessary supplemental materials. Participants will also discover new ways to effectively use multiple technologies for e-learning in the full-ensemble setting to develop com
Habits of a Significant Band Director
Teacher
This clinic focuses on how knowledge, communication, experience, heart energy, physical energy, and effectiveness create synergy to produce a successful music educator. “Who you are” as a music educator is explored in a meaningful way. Every student has a nugget of gold that must be found and cultivated. Culture trumps strategy and meaningful relationships are the cornerstone of positive leadership. You can be both successful and significant as a music educator.
Habits of a Successful Band Director
Teacher
This clinic focuses on the journey from the "Components of Playing” to music making. Teaching strategies will be the cornerstone of the presentation for both pedagogical and culture-building approaches. Participants will be encouraged to create their own Teaching Inventory Database, which will serve as a blueprint for “What” to teach and “How” to teach it.
Habits of a Successful Wind Ensemble
Teacher
This session focuses on the important role "fundamentals time" plays in the development of outstanding musicians and great sounding ensembles. A comprehensive approach to the warm-up, timing and reading skills, and ensemble resonance will be explored. Sight-reading through full-ensemble performance will be a key practice for student development. Through this process, all roads lead from the "Components of Playing" to going beyond the notes. Solfege and music making exercises conclude the presentation.
Pathway to Success: Habits for Creating a Culture of Excellence
Teacher
In this clinic, participants will be guided through ten sequential levels for student success as they journey up the metaphorical mountain of self-leadership – “You can’t lead others until you lead yourself.” Along the way, participants will encounter lessons, activities, stories, quotes, and questions that address the key qualities of any effective leader. Our new leadership model is a shift from “leaders and followers” to "leadership for all".
Quality of Life Issues for the Modern Band Director
Teacher
This session is a discussion on practical strategies for balancing life and work. The ultimate goal is being happy, staying well-grounded, and having a healthy prioritization of life and work issues so that you can be a successful band director.