(FAIRFAX, VA) — Conductor, arranger, and trumpet player, Dr. Dereck Scott has become the new director of music of The City of Fairfax Band Association. He assumed the position July 1 and conducts his first full concert of the City of Fairfax Band on October 26, when the nationally acclaimed community ensemble launches its 2024-2025 season.
Scott is an established Washington area musical force. The multi-talented musician conducts the Cathedral Brass and was the McLean Symphony’s interim music director. He also has conducted the Rockville Brass Band and the Cherry Blossom Brass Band. As director of bands at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA, Scott leads five bands covering grades five through 12. His leadership from the podium has been described as “transformative,” “of the highest of artistic merit,” and “significantly contributing to the ensemble’s success.”
On trumpet, Scott performs frequently around greater Washington. That includes having been principal cornet and soloist for the Rockville Brass Band. And he is a featured performer on The Brass of the Potomac’s album “Firestorm.”
Scott is also an accomplished arranger and composer, with more than 70 titles to his name. His work has been performed across the United States and internationally.
He said he didn’t hesitate to compete for the music directorship. “The City of Fairfax Band is the group I kept on hearing about. This is a group I wanted to be a part of,” he said. “I am extremely excited. I really do believe in community musicianship. It’s a real thermometer of the cultural health of a community.”
“The big thing is the group plays well. It’s a good group; it’s a very good group,” Scott added. “I’m confident that they will be able to play anything I put in front of them. The musical knowledge of what exists in this group would be counted in the thousands of years.”
Scott’s October 26 Concert Program
The ensemble will demonstrate its musical capabilities in concert at Fairfax High School on October 26. Scott will open with exciting audience favorites from the Broadway hit “Wicked” and John Williams’ themes from Steven Spielberg’s beloved movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”
Jazz lovers will savor the great standard “Autumn in New York” by Vernon Duke. John Phillip Sousa march fans will enjoy “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.”
The concert’s major work will be Robert W. Smith’s 1st Symphony titled “The Divine Comedy.” A major four-movement symphonic band composition, it is based on Dante Alighieri’s same-named classic narrative poem envisioning a soul’s travels through the afterlife.
In addition to its October 26 indoor season opener, later City of Fairfax Band performances are set for December 21and March 15. An additional concert is to be scheduled for late April or early May. (Updates at www.fairfaxband.org)
More About Dr. Dereck Scott
A Pittsburgh area native, Scott holds a doctorate degree in musical arts from West Virginia University, focused on orchestral conducting and trumpet performance. He also earned a master’s degree from the same university in music performance, focused on instrumental conducting and trumpet. His bachelor’s degree, in music performance, came from Duquesne University.
In addition to directing the City of Fairfax Band, Scott supervises the other ensembles of the City of Fairfax Band Association. They include the Main Street Community Band, Alte Kameraden (a German band), and the Fairfax Swing Band.
Scott succeeded Robert Pouliot, who retired as City of Fairfax Band Association music director after 29 years’ service.
About The City of Fairfax Band
Described by a fan as “like having the Boston Pops in Northern Virginia,” the City of Fairfax Band is nationally recognized. Honors include the John Phillip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll, North America’s premier award for community bands of outstanding musical excellence. The selective volunteer group’s personnel include former members of the elite Washington-based military bands and other U.S. service bands. Other players are active or retired music teachers, trained musicians in other careers, or accomplished lay performers. The ensemble is funded in part by the City of Fairfax.
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Contact: Dan R. Merriman
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