Habits of Success

"A great resource for the school band director who is looking for new, fresh and creative approaches to the same old problems. A must for everyone who wants to give their students a positive band experience."
- Charlie Menghini, Director of Bands, VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, IL

“In writing this new and timely book, Scott Rush has combined his practical experiences as one of our country’s brightest and most effective young music educators, with a highly developed level of personal musicianship. His “across-the-board” treatment of the wide range of challenges which face the contemporary music educator provides a complete “How to” volume, which I consider to be unique in the field.”
- Rick Clary, Director of Bands/ Professor of Conducting, Florida State University

"Habits of a Successful Band Director by Scott Rush will be a tremendous addition to the standard material currently being used in instrumental methods classes. It will provide a much needed practicality for all prospective instrumental teachers."
- Ray E. Cramer, Director of Bands, Indiana University/President of Midwest Board

“This book should prove to be of great value, not only to the younger, less experienced directors for whom it is chiefly intended, but for the profession as a whole. It contains much worthwhile information and excellent pedagogical ideas in a highly readable and well-organized format.”
- Joseph Kreines, Conductor/Composer/Historian

“Scott Rush has written the guide that many of us would love to have read as we began our careers. It should be required reading for music education majors everywhere; practical, functional, and filled with thought-provoking ideas.”
- Gary Gribble, Director of Bands, Pope High School

“Scott Rush is a master of organizational skills, student motivation, and teaching the fundamentals of wind and percussion instruments. This practical guide for music instruction offers young teachers entering the profession a blueprint for success in teaching instrumental music. The book is also an easy read of thought provoking ideas and concepts for experienced teachers doing self-evaluation of their effectiveness in teaching.”
- Jim Copenhaver, Director of Bands, University of South Carolina

“I think that this text is highly useful for Japanese music teachers… you have identified the fact that the music teacher’s role is not just about “making fun,” but directing students toward discovering and experiencing music. The issue of music teaching seems always the same: how to balance between a teacher’s leadership role and the student’s spontaneity. You have addressed the fact that we don’t have to choose one or the other, but that both are indispensable at the same time.”
-Dr. Masafumi Ogawa, Associate Professor of Music Education, Joetsu University, Japan

Mr. Rush:
Your book is a hit down here!
College student (University of Georgia)

Scott,
I have read your book and now require it for my "Organization and Administration of School Music Programs" course for Grad students and upper class U-Grads. GREAT book. Congrats and thanks!
University Professor (Kansas)

There is ALWAYS something new to learn, something old to rethink.
University Professor (Oregon)

I checked out the website which is icing on the cake. I e-mailed the Performing Arts Specialist for our school system about the in-services that are offered. Thanks again!!!
High School Director (North Carolina)

I ordered and received your book this week. I finished reading it today. What an awesome guide for band directors, veterans and those new to the profession. I wanted you to know how much I appreciate the time you took in writing this book. I am totally inspired and invigorated after reading it and will be incorporating many of your thoughts and ideas. Thank you!!!
Middle School Director (Alabama)

Love the book!
High School Band Director (South Carolina)

Congratulations on the success of your book. I have found it most helpful and have recommended it to everyone that I know. I am planning on using a good bit of what you suggested in you book for my Band Handbook for next year.
High School Band Director (Georgia)

I wanted to let you know that I have thoroughly enjoyed your book! It is amazing.
High School Director (South Carolina)

I just finished reading your book and I must say that as a 2nd year band director this is going to be extremely helpful for next year. I have taken notes all over the book for things that I can incorporate into my own program. In fact, I have been invited to speak at a Director's forum at my Alma Mater (Univ of Washington) and I am going to bring along your book to recommend to all of the music ed students.
High School Director (Washington)

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the book …

Over the past several years, I have had a really hard time with the communication part that you talked about being so important. This is not a recent discovery on my part, but what your book has done is give me some great ideas to fill that gap in my program. This is especially important because we are opening a new middle school next year. There is no better time for the implementation of new strategies than the opening of a new school….

Thank you again for your book. I plan to use it for a number of things to reevaluate my teaching. It is so easy to get into ruts, but your book has shown me some ways out.

Middle School Band Director (South Carolina)