Anthony Plog on Music

Conversations with performers, composers, and entrepreneurs

Mark Scatterday, Conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble: A life in conducting and training the next generation of professional musicians

Mark Scatterday is the Professor of Conducting at the Eastman School of Music and the esteemed conductor of the legendary Eastman Wind Ensemble. Since taking the baton in 2002 as only the fourth conductor in the ensemble’s storied history, Mark has continued the rich legacy of his predecessors, especially Frederick Fennell and Donald Hunsberger. Under his direction, the ensemble has toured the world, performing in Japan, China, Taiwan, Europe, Canada, and across the United States. As a passionate advocate for contemporary music, Mark has premiered numerous works, making his mark as a visionary leader. It was a real pleasure to sit down with Mark to talk about his unique approach to conducting, his philosophy on teaching, and how he keeps the Eastman tradition alive.

Part 1

We start by diving into Mark's early training as a trombonist, where he studied under the great Ed Anderson and Dennis Smith. He shares how studying scores during rehearsal breaks helped shape his understanding of music. Mark also talks about his early steps into conducting and how a fateful meeting with Donald Hunsberger led him to pursue his doctorate at Eastman. As we wrap up Part 1, we explore his "three-pronged recipe for success" and the role of fate in his career.

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The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.