COMPOSER REFERENCES

"Scott Watson came to the East Stroudsburg School District as a guest conductor and composer. His interactions with every level of ensemble, from fifth graders to high school students, was impressive. All students were able to easily respond to his respectful and age-appropriate guidance. His energy and encouraging demeanor had students still talking about the experience many days after his visit. Each band played a piece by the composer and we were all impressed with how well the pieces worked for each level. As a side note, Dr. Watson was also very thorough and timely in his email replies as various directors asked him questions in preparation for his visit. That was greatly appreciated. I can, with no reservations, recommend him as a great guest conductor for any level of instrumental ensemble."

Katye Clogg, Director of Bands, High School-South, East Stroudsburg Area School District

"Please accept a heartfelt thanks for a great experience for our students. From the commission piece to the manner in which you worked with all of our bands, it was very rewarding all around. I have since received MANY positive compliments about the quality and excitement of When Men and Mountains Meet (the commission), your interaction with the listeners in the audience to convey insights and ideas of your compositions of all levels, and the diverse styles of your pieces for the younger bands through to the high school level. You are one of the few composers to possess the outstanding ability and expertise to "teach from the podium", enabling the students to express the meaning and message of your compositions with a more in-depth perspective."

Melodie Shamp, Music Department Chairperson, East Stroudsburg Area School District

I am writing this letter on behalf of Scott Watson, a composer with whom I have the honor of commissioning a work...I found Scott's approach to working with our project to be very refreshing...Once we finally settled on a text, Theodore Roethke's Night Journey, Scott got to work very quickly and was finished well before the deadline...The directors of our two ensembles who premiered the piece were very proud to have their students work with Scott. They both believed that Scott was truly an educational composer and they were very proud to have worked with such a professional in his field. They felt that the most important piece of the work was having Scott come in to the rehearsal to really give the students a chance to understand how the piece worked and what it may be like to be a composer...The piece was premiered at the annual Massachusetts Music Educators Conference in March of 2007. This was one of our most successful commission projects and I would happily recommend Scott Watson for other projects.

Tom O'Toole, Commissioned Works Chair, Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association

"Dr. Watson completed a composer-in-residence program here at Southern Lehigh School District...The residency included time for Dr. Watson to instruct middle school instrumental music students in beginning compositional and improvisational techniques and culminated with the commissioning of a piece for concert band...The students worked hard to produce a stellar performance of their new piece. The parents and school still speak with pride when this program is discussed. When the piece was picked up by a publisher this past fall, the school board again affirmed that this is the type of program that is beneficial for students....Dr. Watson's professional demeanor and wonderful interaction with the students of Southern Lehigh brought about an experience long to be remembered by school personnel, students, and their parents. I would highly recommend Dr. Watson."

Dr. Nancy Beitler, Instrumental Music Director, Southern Lehigh Middle School

"I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Dr. Scott Watson during the 2005 PMEA District 10 Elementary Band & Orchestra Festival (West), which I co-hosted...Dr. Watson showed enthusiasm and initiative, contacting the co-hosts on a regular basis, and easily meeting all deadlines that were given to him. Dr. Watson's professionalism and good rapport with our elementary band students impressed me. I saw Dr. Watson interacting with the children, and they seemed to be very willing to work hard for him. Several of the students' band directors made similar comments to me throughout the day and after the concert."

Ashley B. Crust, Band Director, Shenandoah Valley School District

"Dear Scott, On behalf of the four middle school band directors, I would like to express my gratitude for the outstanding job that you did at our annual "Bands In The Round" concert last month. Your talents, both conducting and composing, were an integral part of one of our most successful and memorable concerts...Your determination and interaction with the students was unparalleled as they learned many aspects of being a fine musician in just the few hours that you spent with them."

Paul T. Recker, Instrumental Music Director, Harrison-Morton Middle School

"Dr. Watson...was easy to work with at all times. He provided us with the score and parts to his music well before our deadline, was quick to make the few corrections that any new piece needs, and was available whenever we needed him to speak at a concert or workshop...at all times he displayed both a sense of absolute professionalism and a warmth of spirit. We were very pleased with the work that Dr. Watson wrote for us. He did an excellent job of capturing some of the most important elements that make the Twin Falls area what it is, and his piece was a pleasure to perform. As a conductor, Dr. Watson came to the podium well-prepared, and he made very efficient use of rehearsal time. His conducting was easy to follow and contributed much to the successful performances of his music. In short, Scott Watson has my highest recommendation as a composer and conductor."

Dr. George A. Halsell, Associate Professor of Music, College of Southern Idaho

"The Delaware Valley Middle School hosted our Middle Grades Music Festival this past April 22nd and we had the distinct pleasure of having Dr. Scott Watson as our guest conductor...Dr. Watson made it a very pleasurable and exciting experience....Right from the start Dr. Watson had the students' focus and attention, which can be very difficult at the middle school level. The group played two original compositions...which was very rewarding and exciting for the students as well as for myself. I would highly recommend Dr. Watson to anyone considering hosting a festival and I look forward to the next opportunity we get to work together."

Ryan S. Curchoe, Band Director, Delaware Valley Middle School

"The enthusiasm for the work [Hymn and Declaration] from audience, orchestra and press was quite remarkable. In addition to participation in rehearsals, Scott contributed program notes, presented a pre-concert lecture prior to the premiere performance and spoke to an audience for an "Open Rehearsal" on the preceding evening...Scott was a pleasure to work with for the year preceding the premiere, always meeting deadlines and working in a most professional manner...I urge you to consider him a candidate who would not only write a wonderful work but would also make a most important impact on the people with whom he works."

Donald Spieth, Music Director, Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra