Directors Circle
Dr. Andrea Brown is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. At UM, Dr. Brown conducts several ensembles including the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band.
info_outline Timothy Holtan - Episode 39Directors Circle
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Timothy Holtan. Col. Holtan holds the distinction of being the first officer to command all three of the U.S. Army’s premier bands. Since retiring in 2017, he currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maryland Winds.
info_outline Timothy Holtan - Episode 39Directors Circle
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Timothy Holtan. Col. Holtan holds the distinction of being the first officer to command all three of the U.S. Army’s premier bands. Since retiring in 2017, he currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maryland Winds.
info_outline Peter Boonshaft - Episode 38Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with Dr. Peter Boonshaft. Dr. Boonshaft, Director of Education for Jupiter Brand Instruments and KHS America Academic Alliance, is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. Dr. Boonshaft is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music. Dr. Boonshaft is also a Spokesperson for Alfred Music.
info_outline Ryan Nowlin - Episode 37Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with Mr. Ryan Nowlin who is a well-regarded composer, educator, and conductor. Ryan is the Assistant Director for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and is a co-author of the famous “Tradition Of Excellence” method series. In our conversation, Ryan talks about his work as a composer and how he approaches working with ensembles.
info_outline Michael Haithcock - Episode 36Directors Circle
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Michael Haithcock who is the Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. During our conversation, Michael shares his thoughts on ways to engage students in rehearsal and leading a program to musical excellence.
info_outline Dennis Glocke - Episode 35Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with my friend and mentor, Mr. Dennis Glocke. Dennis has recently retired as the Director of Concert Bands at Penn State University where he has led several ensembles and taught courses in conducting. In our conversation, Dennis shares many lessons on music-making and teaching that he has learned over his career as a music educator.
info_outline Lori Schwartz Reichl - Episode 34Directors Circle
In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lori Schwartz Reichl. Lori is an author, clinician, and music educator who is well known for her contributions to publications such as In Tune Magazine and Making Music Magazine. In this interview, Lori shares her ideas on setting up students for success and incorporating diversity into musical experiences.
info_outline Theresa Hoover Ducassoux - Episode 33Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with Theresa Hoover Ducassoux. Theresa is a well-known music educator and writer with her blog, Off the Beaten Path: A Music Teacher’s Journey. In our conversation, Theresa shares many of her ideas on integrating technology into the classroom and student empowerment.
info_outline Scott Watson - Episode 32Directors Circle
This episode features my conversation with Dr. Scott Watson. In addition to being an acclaimed composer for band and orchestra, Scott is well known for his work as an educator, author, and clinician.
info_outlineThis episode features my interview with the acclaimed author and music educator, Scott Rush. Mr. Rush is widely known for his Habits of Success book series as well as being a renowned band director in South Carolina. Scott shares stories about his career, work as an author, and his current role working in administration.
Topics include:
(05:12) Scott talks about his life and professional background
(07:45) Scott talks about how his background as a professional performer has affected his career in education
(9:06) Scott talks about how he worked with colleagues to grow his former band program at Wando High School
(13:30) Relationship building
(16:20) Building a culture of excellence
(19:45) Scott discusses the creation of his Habits of Success series
(23:05) Scott talks about his Teaching Inventory Sheet tool
(29:23) Scott talks about his current role as an administrator for Dorchester District 2
(31:23) Things learned from working in administration
(33:27) Why do we teach music?
(36:20) Advice on getting students to have a lifelong love of music
(31:23) Scott talks about a new book he is creating with Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
(40:00) How to contact Scott and learn more about his Habits of Success series
(41:02) Favorite rehearsal tactics
(44:35) Scott discusses leaders that have made an impact on his life
(49:08) Three words to describe an outstanding leader of a comprehensive music program
(50:45) Maintaining high standards
(53:24) Advice for music educators
(55:20) Being remembered as a leader for your music program
Links:
Rush’s Habits of Success series:
Performances by Wando High School Bands:
1998 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ2-N9w_wtA
2005 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnRazTwZivs
2006 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQcpWdO9O8w
Videos of Scott Rush conducting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fmm0ME3Jyw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIOa1Su7v-0
Interview featuring Rush advocating for arts education funding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEi01JY6DLc&app=desktop
PDF Notes from past presentations Rush has given at the Midwest Clinic:
Bio:
Scott Rush is the Director of Fine and Performing Arts in Dorchester School District Two in South Carolina 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 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 and won the South Carolina State 5A marching band championships nine consecutive years.
Mr. Rush is active as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. He is lead writer for the Habits series and has authored or co-authored ten highly touted books: Habits of A Successful Band Director, 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 Successful String Musician, Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician, Quality of Life Habits of A Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Choir Director, and Habits of a Significant Band Director for GIA Publications. Mr. Rush has served as President of the South Carolina Band Directors Association and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the National Band Association. In 2010, Mr. Rush was elected into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and in 2011 was awarded the Bandworld “Legion of Honor.” In 2015, he was elected into the South Carolina Band Directors Association Hall of Fame and in 2016 was awarded the Edwin Franko Goldman Award by the ASBDA for contributions to music education.
He and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Thomas and Caroline.