GIA Publications - Artist

Scott Rush is the team lead for the Habits series by GIA Publications 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 Beginner Band 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 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 2016, he was awarded the Edwin Franko Goldman Award by the ASBDA for contributions to music education.

Workshops

Habits of a Significant Band Director - Music Education

This clinic focuses on how knowledge, communication, heart energy, physical energy, and effectiveness create synergy to produce a successful band director. “Who you are” as a band director is explored in a meaningful way. Participants are encouraged to write program, professional, and personal goals, and a professional mission statement. Every student has a nugget of gold that must be found and cultivated. You can be both successful and significant as a band director. Success stops at retirement, but musical and personal significance lasts for generations to come.

Habits of A Successful Band Director - Music Education

This clinic will focus on the journey from the "components of playing" to music making. Teaching strategies will be the cornerstone of the presentation and they will logically progress from being effective with non-pedagogical issues to going beyond the notes. Non-traditional means of assessment will also be explored.

Habits of a Successful Wind Ensemble: Sequential Fundamentals that Lead to Music Making - Music Education

This clinic will focus 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. Key practices in sight-reading 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

Habits of A Successful Middle School Band Director - Music Education

This session is specifically for middle school band directors. Topics include: recruitment, retention, instrumentation, mouthpiece testing, class scheduling, the start-up clinic, grade specific curriculum, teaching strategies, literature, assessment, and crossing the threshold from the components of playing to music making.

Quality of Life Habits for the Modern Band Director - Music Education

This session is not only about keeping it all in perspective, but about providing 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, while maintaining a long and prosperous career as a band director.

GIA PUBLICATIONS, INC.