Scott S. (All Band, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion)
Music Educator at Chaska Music Studios and Shakopee Public Schools
Music changes lives. It brings people together in a dance of creativity and competence. It invites the same growth that friendship offers. It sparks joy and fun the way relationships do. The explosive power of band, the connective conversation of choir, the opportunities for soloing, all work together to create a universal language on a planet of incredible diversity. The magical mystery of how this works has compelled me to pursue music education for my entire life: my own, and that of my students.
When my father and mother offered me piano lessons many years ago, when they bought me my clarinet for the fifth grade band in St. Louis Park, when they encouraged me to sing in my church choral program, I had no idea where it would all lead. As a performer in the St. Louis Park Public Schools, at Moorhead State University, at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, in the Heartland Symphony in Brainerd and the Grand Symphonic Winds of St. Paul, I have discovered the joy of personal and collaborative growth. As a music educator in Backus Public School, Pine River-Backus Public School, and Shakopee Public School, I have enjoyed helping my students discover this same personal and collaborative growth.
Working with Leslie Hercules at Chaska Music Studio for the past ten years has been joyful. You can hear amazing sounds up and down the hallway as
young people and their teachers engage in the pursuit of musical excellence.
My life is so full. In addition to teaching music, I enjoy my three children, my wife, and our two extended families. Friends and I have trekked the Himalayas of India three times, seen where “Braveheart’s” sword lies encased in Scotland, and gone scuba diving in the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey. I love to write, take pictures, cheer on the Minnesota Twins (not lately), bicycle, with my son, and spend time with my family. Each morning is coffee chat time with my wife to start our day.
If I have the privilege of working with you, your son or daughter ~ it will be an honor that I will cherish and savor. The journey of tangoing with a band
instrument, piano, guitar, or the human voice are privileges that involve the commitment of parents, youth, and teachers. When this is working well, we can enjoy the solid partnerships of community.
Thank-you for considering this great privilege with Chaska Music Studios and me!
Music Educator
My goal is to provide exciting, engaging, and quality instrumental music lessons to students in the Chaska & Shakopee communities since 2006. Expertise
in woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.
Education
—
B.A., Music Performance, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, 1980.
—
B.S., Music Education, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, 1980.
M.M., Music Education, VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, Illinois, 2001.
M.A., Teaching & Learning, Saint Mary’s University, Minneapolis 2010.
Teaching Experience
Shakopee East Junior High
Director of Bands, 2006-Present
Chaska Music Studio
Lessons, 2006-Present
Pine River-Backus Public School
Director of Bands, 1990-2006
Backus Public School
Director of Band, Choir, General Music, 1980-1990
Performance Experience
Shakopee East Junior High Bands
MMEA Performance, February 2016
Grand Symphonic Winds,
2006-Present, Bass Clarinetist
Performed at Minnesota Music Educators Conference, 2007
Performed at Orchestra Hall, 2009
Performed at Beijing National Performing Arts Center, China, 2010
Performed at World Expo in Shanghai, China, 2010
Performed at Midwest International Band Conference, Chicago, 2010
Heartland Symphony Orchestra,
1980-2006, Principal Clarinetist
VanderCook College of Music,
1998-2001, Principal Clarinetist
Moorhead State University,
1977-1980, Principal Clarinetist
Shakopee High School, Pine River-Backus High School, Central Lakes College, Pequot Lakes Community High School
Principal Pit Orchestra Woodwind Soloist
Personal
Family & Friend Focus
World Travel Passion
Writing
Photography
Community
Foster Care for nine years.
Elder Care for three years.
Church Choral Director for 25 years.
Community Theater for 25 years.
My goal is to provide exciting, engaging, and quality instrumental music lessons to students in the Chaska & Shakopee communities since 2006. Expertise
in woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.
Education
—
B.A., Music Performance, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, 1980.
—
B.S., Music Education, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, 1980.
M.M., Music Education, VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, Illinois, 2001.
M.A., Teaching & Learning, Saint Mary’s University, Minneapolis 2010.
Teaching Experience
Shakopee East Junior High
Director of Bands, 2006-Present
Chaska Music Studio
Lessons, 2006-Present
Pine River-Backus Public School
Director of Bands, 1990-2006
Backus Public School
Director of Band, Choir, General Music, 1980-1990
Performance Experience
Shakopee East Junior High Bands
MMEA Performance, February 2016
Grand Symphonic Winds,
2006-Present, Bass Clarinetist
Performed at Minnesota Music Educators Conference, 2007
Performed at Orchestra Hall, 2009
Performed at Beijing National Performing Arts Center, China, 2010
Performed at World Expo in Shanghai, China, 2010
Performed at Midwest International Band Conference, Chicago, 2010
Heartland Symphony Orchestra,
1980-2006, Principal Clarinetist
VanderCook College of Music,
1998-2001, Principal Clarinetist
Moorhead State University,
1977-1980, Principal Clarinetist
Shakopee High School, Pine River-Backus High School, Central Lakes College, Pequot Lakes Community High School
Principal Pit Orchestra Woodwind Soloist
Personal
Family & Friend Focus
World Travel Passion
Writing
Photography
Community
Foster Care for nine years.
Elder Care for three years.
Church Choral Director for 25 years.
Community Theater for 25 years.
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
~ Victor Hugo
“Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.
~Herbie Hancock
“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”
~Lao Tzu
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
~Bob Marley
“All of us do not have equal talents, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
~John F. Kennedy
“Creating music is an incredible collaboration of creativity & competence meeting on the trail.”
~Scott Sater
~ Victor Hugo
“Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.
~Herbie Hancock
“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”
~Lao Tzu
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
~Bob Marley
“All of us do not have equal talents, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
~John F. Kennedy
“Creating music is an incredible collaboration of creativity & competence meeting on the trail.”
~Scott Sater
Scott performing in China at the 2010 World Expo.
