The University of Utah Director of Bands, Scott Hagen, to Retire
Salt Lake City, UT – June 25, 2020 – The School of Music Director of Bands, Scott Hagen, will be retiring Fall 2020 after 29 years of service. Professor Hagen started teaching at the University of Utah in 1991, became an Associate Professor in 2002, and the Director of Bands in 2005. He teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and serves on numerous committees for the department.
Professor Hagen is the conductor of the University of Utah Wind Ensemble. He began his tenure at the U in 1991 as the Director of the Ute Marching Band and Symphonic Band and continued with those ensembles for 11 years. He was the conductor of the official Utah Olympic Spirit Band for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and was the founder and former Music Director and Conductor of the Utah Wind Symphony—Salt Lake City’s professional wind ensemble. His ensembles are known for their unique timbre, blending each individual instrument to create a warm and rich sonority. When programming repertoire, professor Hagen brings a fresh approach to works from the past, and continues to strive in exploring works of the present.
Under professor Hagen’s direction, the University of Utah Wind Ensemble has performed at the National MENC conference, College Band Directors National Association Western Division conference, Utah Music Educators Association conference, The Midwest Clinic and even international venues in Japan and Europe. In 2016, the U Wind Ensemble performed the world premiere of David Maslanka’s Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble, and consequently in 2018, performed the world premiere and produced the seminal recording of Maslanka’s Symphony 10. Professor Hagen strived to bring to the University of Utah world class soloists and composers to collaborate with the students. Under his baton, the U Wind Ensemble has released numerous recordings of works featuring soloists and prominent composers.
His ensemble has received several awards from the National Band Association and Utah Band Masters Association. During his career at the U, he received two Teaching Choice awards from the University of Utah and the College of Fine Arts.
“Professor Hagen has garnered the love and respect of his students, a steady following among concert audiences, and strong support and admiration among band conductors in secondary schools across Utah and beyond,” said Miguel Chuaqui, Director of the School of Music. “He has been responsible for advising a generation of graduate student wind conductors, many of whom have gone on to teach in schools across Utah and the Intermountain West. The international exposure for our institution, through professor Hagen’s successful recording projects, is admired throughout the profession, and reflects the excellence that the University of Utah Wind Ensemble has achieved under his direction.”
The University of Utah School of Music will be conducting an international search for a new Director of Bands. Until then, Associate Director of the School of Music, Jared Rawlings, will be acting Director of Bands for the rest of the 2020-21 academic year.
The School of Music will be celebrating Professor Hagen’s achievements this fall. Stay tuned for more information on the School of Music’s website, music.utah.edu.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The University of Utah School of Music offers a comprehensive program of music study on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of Music educates professionally-oriented students across the musical spectrum through rigorous musical and academic experiences; serves the art of music through performance, composition, research and publication; and functions as the state’s center for intellectual, educational, and cultural musical activities. It has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1952.