Scott Rush

Scott Rush is Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he received a Master of Music in French Horn Performance and studied with Boston Symphony principal hornist, Charles Kavalovski. Mr. Rush received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, where he studied horn under Robert Pruzin and was the recipient of the Arthur Fraser Award for the Outstanding Graduating Senior in Music.

As director of bands at Wando High School, Mr. Rush’s bands have received consistent Superior ratings in the areas of concert and marching band. The Wando Symphonic Band performed at the 2007 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and were the 2007 recipients of the Sudler Flag of Honor, administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Wando marching band was named a finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2009 and 2011.

Mr. Rush is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. He is author of three highly touted books, Habits of a Successful Musician, Habits of a Successful Band Director, and The Evolution of a Successful Band Director with GIA Publications. He has been the recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on five occasions and was named Teacher of the Year in 2004. He is Nationally Board Certified by NBPTS. In 2010, Mr. Rush was elected into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.

Workshops

Non-Stuffy Assessment For Instrumentalists - Music Education

This session presents successful strategies for effective assessment in the rehearsal setting. Performance-based assessment is built on the premise that students must improve as a player and musician and master the concepts that are being evaluated. This workshop deals with the following:

(1) Performance-based Rubrics (2) Four T's Assessment Model (3) The Three-Tiered Assessment Model
(4) Smart Music (5) Written Critique (6) Recorded Performance (7) Student Self-Assessment
(8) Student Centered Assessment (9) Weighted Differentiated Instruction

Teaching Strategies That Lead to Music Making - Music Education

This session utilizes a nuts-and-bolts approach to incorporating effective teaching strategies into the rehearsal setting. The "Components of Playing" are used as the basis for the Four Key Practices presented in the workshop. Once established as tools in the musical toolbox, the "Components of Playing" serve as a bridge to artistry and music making.

Habits of a Successful Wind Ensemble - Music Education

This workshop will focus on the important role "fundamentals" plays in the development of outstanding musicians and great-sounding ensembles. A comprehensive approach to warm-up, timing and reading skills, and ensemble resonance are explored. Key practices in sightreading through full-ensemble performance will be the cornerstone of 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.