BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTS

Who is Dereck Scott?

Dr. Forrestt Dereck Scott is a multi-talented musician who is skilled as a trumpet player, conductor, and composer. Dereck grew up in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, thirty minutes south of Pittsburgh where he studied with Anthony Pasquarelli. Mr. Scott earned his Bachelors of Music in Trumpet Performance at Duquesne University where he studied with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians Roger Sherman and George Vosburgh.

While at Duquesne, Dereck was a two time semi-finalist for the Collegiate Division of the National Trumpet Competition, an exclusive solo competition held annually in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition to holding leadership positions in the various ensembles at Duquesne, Dereck was also an active performer in the Pittsburgh area. Most notably, Dereck performed with the Pittsburgh Play House in their production of Grand Hotel which was awarded a two performance run at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Scott earned his Masters Degrees in Trumpet Performance and Instrumental Conducting from West Virginia University, and was under the tutelage of Dr. John Winkler. While at WVU, Dereck served as principal trumpet of the West Virginia University Wind Ensemble and the West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra. During the fall semester of 2004, Dereck was asked to perform Herbert L. Clarke's "Cousins" with the West Virginia University Wind Ensemble for a John Phillip Sousa reenactment concert. Later in 2004, Dereck was accepted for a third time as a semi-finalist for the National Trumpet Competition in the Graduate Division. In addition to his scholastic performing, Dereck recorded with the local Morgantown band The Emergency on their 2005 album "Doo Lang Doo Lang," and was a substitute musician with various regional orchestras in the tri-state area. In October of 2011, Dereck completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from West Virginia University, and his dissertation, "American Music for Trumpet and Piano from 1939 to 2011: A Repertoire Guide" is in the initial publication phase through the Edwin Mellen Press.

As a conductor, Dereck has studied with many distinguished performers. At Duquesne University, Dereck worked primarily with Dr. Robert Cameron, and took classes and lessons with Kevin Noe and Brady Allred. While studying at Duquesne, Mr. Scott was a participant in the Duquesne University Conducting Wind Symposium. While at West Virginia University, Dereck studied conducting with Donald Wilcox, Lawrence Christianson, Dr. Kathleen Shannon, David Tang, and Dr. Mitchell Arnold. Mr. Scott was a conductor for the West Virginia University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, University Choir, and Choral Union. In 2004, Dereck was a participant in the Northeast Wind Symposium where he worked with Dr. Michael Haithcock from the University of Michigan and Stephen Peterson from Ithica University.

Dereck is the Instructor of Trumpet at Frostburg State University, and maintains a healthy performing and conducting schedule. Most recently, Dr. Scott has performed with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and the Frostburg State University Faculty Brass Quintet. Dereck has also performed with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Appalachian Brass Quintet, the Resonance Brass Quintet, and various other chamber ensembles in the Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland regions.

Fore more information about Dereck, please click the links to the left. You will find his performance credits, teaching experience, Professional Affiliations, and his full resume.