Scott A. Weiss

Director of Bands

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(785) 864-3561
sweiss@ku.edu

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Scott A. Weiss is the Director of Bands at the University of Kansas where he conducts the KU Wind Ensemble, directs the graduate program in wind conducting, and guides all aspects of the university wind band program. Previous positions include Associate Director of Bands at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Director of Bands at Lamar University and Assistant Director of Instrumental Music at Emory University. In addition, he has nine years of high school teaching experience in Fairfax, Virginia and Cobb County, Georgia.

Scott Weiss has performed throughout North America and Asia, and he recently conducted a series of concerts in six cities in China. In the fall of 2009 he will return to Beijing to conduct concerts with the Beijing Central Conservatory Wind Orchestra and the Military Band of the People's Republic of China. Additional engagements in 2009 include All-State Bands in Virginia and Minnesota, residencies at Texas State University and the University of Central Arkansas, and honor bands in Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia, Georgia and Maryland.

A dedicated advocate of contemporary music, Dr. Weiss has commissioned, premiered and recorded multiple new works for wind ensemble. His first professional CD with the KU Wind Ensemble was released worldwide on the Naxos label in April 2009. Entitled Wild Nights! the CD features the music of Frank Ticheli, David Dzubay, Steven Bryant, Roshanne Etezady and John Mackey and includes three World Premiere recordings. In addition, he is a strong proponent of the standard repertoire for wind band and has presented papers on wind band history and repertoire in Austria and at the University of Luxembourg.

Dr. Weiss holds an undergraduate degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois. In 2005 he was the recipient of the University Merit Award for outstanding teaching from Lamar University, and in 2000 he was the national recipient of the ASBDA/UMI Award for outstanding public school teaching and conducting. Ensembles under his direction have performed at the Midwest Clinic, the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference, the Western International Band Conference, the National Concert Band Festival and the Midwest Composers Forum.

Scott and his wife, Teah, live in Lawrence with their 10 year-old son, John and his Labrador, Duke.