2004 International Conducting Symposium Winners Announced

Winners have been named for the National Band Association's 2004 International Conducting Symposium, which will be held November 8-12, 2004 in Rome, Italy. Named to take part in this expense-paid week of international musical experiences and professional growth opportunities are: Scott J. Casagrande, Director of Bands at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Dr. Scott A. Jones, Director of Instrumental Music at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Mohamad S. Schuman Jr., Director of Bands at Stone High School in Wiggins, Mississippi.

These three outstanding young conductors were chosen through a national selection process that included a comprehensive review of personal and professional qualifications of the director, overall program effectiveness, ensemble performance quality, performance evaluations, audio and video recordings of the band in performance, letters of recommendation, and a review of musical repertoire of the ensemble over several years. In short, the quality of the candidates and their respective programs were examined thoroughly through an extensive process designed to ensure selection of recipients of the highest quality.

These three conductors will travel to Rome this November to study with Maestro Fulvio Creux, Conductor of the Italian Army Band, and to rehearse and perform with that same outstanding ensemble. In addition, the conductors will have the opportunity to be part of musical activities at the Music Conservatory of Rome and to observe rehearsals of the Maggior Musicale of Florence with conductor/artistic director is Zubin Mehta. The ICS participants will be heavily involved in music studies and conducting activities the entire week in Rome, but still will have time from their "schedule of a lifetime" to visit many of the historic and ageless sites of Rome.

Congratulations to each of these winners. This recognition comes to them as a result of many years of dedicated work and perseverance, and hopefully will serve as a source of inspiration for each as they continue to share their love of music with their students and communities. This award represents significant professional accomplishment as well as well-deserved recognition for outstanding contributions to our art form.

Biographical information on the 2004 ICS winners:

A firm believer in creating opportunities for students to interact with the great artists of our day, Apple Valley students have enjoyed collaborations with musicians such as Frederick Fennell, Eiji Oue, Aaron Jay Kernis, Frank Battisti, Seiji Ozawa, David Gillingham, Augusta Read Thomas, Eddie Daniels as well as a host of other distinguished musical figures. The AVHS Wind Ensemble performed at both the 2002 and 2004 MENC National Conventions, marking four appearances at a national MENC convention by an AVHS concert band in the school's twenty-eight year history.

Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, Scott received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1989. During his six-year tenure with the Teays Valley Local Schools in Ashville, Ohio, he earned a Master's Degree in Music Education from the Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. In June of 2003, Scott completed a Ph.D. in Music from the University of Minnesota.

His professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Minnesota Band Directors Association, College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, and Chamber Music America and the American Composers Forum. Scott was named "Music Educator of the Year" by the Minnesota Music Educators Association in 2002, and is presently serving the Minnesota Band Directors Association as president.