Scott, Jeff
Jeff Scott is the former Director of Bands at Cario Middle School in Mount Pleasant, SC, where held that position from 2001 until his retirement in 2023. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and received a Master of Instrumental Music in Conducting at Southern Oregon University. He was awarded National Board Certification in 2005 and 2015. In 2020, he was named Phi Beta Mu “South Carolina Bandmaster of the Year”.
Mr. Scott is co-author of the highly touted books Habits of a Successful Middle School Band Director, Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician, and Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician published by GIA Publications.
Bands under Mr. Scott's baton have received exclusively Superior ratings at state, regional and national competitions since 1989. Those bands have also received the SCBDA's Outstanding Performance Award every year since 1989. Mr. Scott is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. He has presented clinics for the Midwest Clinic in 2014, 2017, 2021 and was a panel member in 2022. He maintains professional affiliations with NAfME, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu.
Workshops
Habits of a Successful Middle School Band Director - Music Education
This clinic focuses on the foundational Building Blocks required to create a successful music program. Focus is given to the image of the program, recruiting, community brand recognition, teaching skills for developing musicianship and creating a tradition of excellence. While this clinic is band oriented, directors of all musical programs can find use for many of the concepts presented.
Attention on Retention - Music Education
The clinic focuses on the all important skill of retaining students in our music programs. Discussion focuses on the real reasons students drop, how we can intervene to improve retention as well as our role in our retention rates. We will take a hard look at improving our own habits to improve our program retention. This clinic is band oriented, but will be valuable all music ensemble directors.
Meaningful Middle School Rehearsals - Music Education
This clinic presents the required skills and components of playing necessary to acheive consistent excellence in a middle school music program. Resources and techniques will be presented to help young musicians become excellent skill based performers. Concepts will be presented to improve rehearsal efficiency, time on task and fundamental understanding of the concepts of making music as related to ensemble performance. This clinic is band oriented, but the fundamental skills presented may be valuable to all directors.
Recruiting 101 (The Business of Creating Musicians) - Music Education
Recruiting is the life blood of any successful program. Without great recruitment efforts, programs stall and fail to achieve their full potential. This is true in music as much as in music. What can the business world teach us about program development? A LOT. This clinic will discuss in depth many concepts, skills and habits that develop an outstanding and consistent recruiting process. This clinic uses examples from our beginning band recruiting system, but is equally applicable to high school ensembles.