Maestro Dereck Scott, the new director of music for the Association, conducts his first holiday concert of the City of Fairfax Band on December 21 (7:00 pm) at the Fairfax High School Auditorium. Scott assumed the position on July 1 of this year. This concert will feature many holiday favorites as well as the Fairfax Choral Society. Please come early doors open at 6:00 pm and seats will fill fast. Come early and you can also enjoy pre-concert holiday music from the Fairfax Saxophone Quartet.
More About Dr. Dereck Scott
A conductor, arranger, and trumpet player, 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.”
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.