USF Band Directors Symposium

The University of South Florida’s School of Music is proud to host an annual Band Directors Symposium each June. The goal of the symposium is to provide practical, hands-on information that participants can incorporate into their teaching. To that end, each year we invite a nationally recognized lead clinician who explains and demonstrates the techniques and methods they used to build their own programs. This is done through full band rehearsals, conducting clinics, Q&A sessions, and chamber ensembles. Previous lead clinicians include Alfred Watkins, Scott Rush, Alex Kaminsky, Robert Herring, and Darcy Vogt Williams.

In the mornings, attendees play their primary instruments in a large concert band under the direction of the lead clinician and participate in a conducting clinic led by USF's Director of Bands. In the afternoon, attendees switch to secondary instruments to play in chamber ensembles (brass, woodwinds, double reeds, and percussion) and then regroup in the full band (still on secondary instruments) for rehearsal focused on tone production, articulation, and beginning band techniques.

The symposium is open to current band directors and college students who are planning a career in this field. Registration information will be posted at the beginning of 2027.

The 2027 Symposium will be held on June 1-2 in the USF School of Music. Our lead clinician, returning by popular demand, is Scott Rush. Scott 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 Level 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.