Scott taught instrumental music for many years in both Ohio and Colorado.
A graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio (B. M. E.), he also holds an M.A. in music theory from the Ohio State University.Scott has given numerous clinics, which include the Bands of America Summer Symposium, Ohio Music Education Association, Central States Judges Association, ASBDA, and the Colorado Bandmasters Association. He is also a nationally-recognized adjudicator.
Shows
94th Aero Squadron
The 94th Aero Squadron portrays, in a musical fashion, the heroics of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during one of his many great airborne feats during World War I. Rickenbacker was a Medal of Honor recipient for his efforts in the skies during the war, one of many medals he was to receive. While the 94th Aero Squadron’s name has changed over the years, the “Hat-In’The-Ring” squadron, named for its logo, is still in existence today.
The three movements consist of Battle For the Skies, The Journey Continues, and Victory At Last, with written commentary on the score and parts as to the development of the battle scenes. If it is a hero you would like to honor for your next marching band show, you need look no further than Eddie Rickenbacker and The 94th Aero Squadron.
A New Creation – Grade 3.5
A New Creation musically conveys the artist mentality of the creation of a new work, hopefully and egotistically a masterpiece. The artist stares at the blank canvas, and begins to envision where the paint will lead.
Starting from a Blank Canvas begins in a haunting fashion as the ideas begin to flow. Joyfully these ideas begin to take form and shape in a 12/8 time burst of radiance. Yet sometimes doubts can creep into the artistic mind, but fully resolve into the passion that translates onto the canvas.
A Path of Colors gives time for reflection in a pensive way, with the wonderment of simplicity and design. Fully invested in the process, the artist can rest, knowing that all is moving in the imaginative direction.
True Masterpiece brings the work into focus for the first time. Trying to decide whether or not this is a worthy addition to the artist collection, the work settles into a question and answer session that concludes that what is here will flow and inspire.
Contrast – Grade 3
Contrast is a musical statement in 5 movements that shows some of the differences, or “contrasts” in our everyday musical world.
The first contrast presented is volume levels, the most basis being Loud and Soft. These two evolve evolve over the first movement, which everyone can recognize but few realize unless the extremes are presented side by side.
4 and 3 and 2 merely revolve around the time signatures 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4. Simple enough, but when placed in a certain fashion, can change our musical perceptions in the most unusual ways.
Let us not forgot the role of pitch, the Low and High of the musical realm, Sopranos and basses, tenors and altos, all adding up to make the musical work more interesting and certainly more listenable.
Solo and Ensemble, the individual versus the group. Always an important factor in musical composition and the audience enjoyment as well.
Take a listen – see which one stands out in your ear. Major and minor keys can emotionally decide what you are hearing, especially in so-called movie music. They set the tone and mood for the listener, and this movement is no exception. Can you hear which is which?
Hansel & Gretel – Grade 3
Hansel & Gretel tells the famous tale of the brother (clarinet solo) and sister (flute solo) as they wander into the adventure of their young lives.
Breadcrumbs portrays the happy-go-lucky duo as they set out for the forest, a beautiful day ahead of them. Or so they think. But just in cast they might get lost, they deposit a trail of crumbs behind them… just in case.
Along the Path provides a desultory and pensive mood as the brother and sister seem a bit skeptical of their decision for adventure. They stay close, as if something might be lurking slightly beyond the bend.
Gingerbread Lunch brings back the happier moments the kids felt at the beginning of their journey, especially after coming upon a house make of gingerbread, and the strange lady (baritone saxophone solo) who lives there. Yet things seem to be going wrong as something here is somehow out of place.
Happily Ever After allows the children to escape from becoming lunch without harm, and they head back to their secure and safe home on the edge of the woods. Adventure is a good thing, as long as you stay away from danger.
Dreams of the West – Grade 3.5
Dreams of the West started as a vision of the composer living in the West as a child. Watching TV Westerns in his youth, the romance seemed overwhelming. Land Rush! portrays the historical account of land grabbers attempting to take advantage of the free, or almost free, land being offered. Lightheartedness abounds as everyone believes their dream will come true.
Starry Night has the settlers looking up at night, staring at the wide-open skies full of stars. Yet they know the friends they left also gaze upon that same sky. They reminisce and ponder their move to a new land.
Strike It Rich! Brings back the Gold Rush of 1849, again men full of dreams of being rich beyond imagination. For some, there are pitfalls, for others great wealth is within reach. The adventure of the American West lives on to this day.
Origami – Grade 3.5
Origami portrays the story of a young Japanese girl, named Sadako Sasaki, and her plight during WWII. A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the father, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. Hanging a Senbazuru in one’s home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent charm. Several temples, including some in Tokyo and Hiroshima, have eternal flames for World Peace. At these temples, school groups or individuals often donate Senbazuru to add to the prayer for peace. The cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released. In this way they are related to the prayer flags of India and Tibet.
The Colors of Light – Grade 3
Diffraction, the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.
Reflection, the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing.
Refraction, the fact or phenomenon of light, radio waves, etc., being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density. How can these scientific definitions relate the marching field? Take a listen and judge for yourself! The captivating chordal structures throughout the program fill the air with sounds that diffract, reflect, refract, and hopefully, delight your audience with the Colors of Light as never heard or seen before!
