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Scott Finch, DMA

Education

BM, Covenant College,1997
MM, Temple University, 1999
DMA (cand.), The University of Arizona

Areas of Specialization

Biography

Scott Finch was honoured as a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship to complete his bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1997 from Covenant College and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  He subsequently received a full scholarship from Temple University to finish his Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Temple University, Magnum Cum Laude.  During his studies, he received instruction from noted conductors like Alan Harler, David Hayes, and John Hamm in addition to working directly under Zubin Mehta, Wolfgang Sawallish, Robert Page, Dale Warland, and Frubeck de Burgough.

Scott has also had the opportunity of instructing students of all ages and backgrounds ranging from the university setting in Philadelphia and Tucson to the elementary and secondary educational environments of Atlanta and Chicago. After a nationwide search, Mr. Finch was appointed to serve as the director of choral activities at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, Ill. from 2000-05. In this position, Scott conducted over 250 singers each year and instructed students who now are studying at The Julliard School of Music and Northwestern University. The depth of Scott's impact on the local community was highlighted by an invitation to give the keynote address at the 2005 commencement exercises. His students and colleagues have consistently regarded him for his integrity, his love for music, and his contagious passion for the wonder of life-long learning.  Ensembles under his care are consistently characterized by artistic maturity and a heightened sensitivity to the dramatic aspects of beauty.

Throughout his life, Scott has consistently ministered with music in the church. In the past four years, he has served as the director of music at Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church, where the musician population tripled. He cultivated an active children's music ministry and adult choir that sang weekly for regular services and festivals.

He has also presented seminars on the structure of Handel's Messiah and as well as lectures concerning the strategic revitalization of church hymnody in postmodern societies.

During his doctoral studies at The University of Arizona, his appointment as the director of the Outreach Choir gave him a unique opportunity to represent the School of Music within high school community of Tucson. He also had the opportunity of teaching musical methods for the Music Education department. He looks forward to defending his dissertation, entitled "The Prominence of Hebrew Syntax in Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms" this fall under the direction of Bruce Chamberlain.

Notable Publications