In addition to performing, I have been involved in music education for over 20 years, working with students at a variety of levels/ages. Currently, I am on the faculty at the following Universities and programs:
DePaul University - Applied Jazz Saxophone Instructor, Jazz Improvisation course track, Jazz Combo Coach
Loyola University Chicago - Jazz Ensemble Director, Applied Jazz Saxophone Instructor, Jazz History Lecturer
North Park University - Applied Jazz Saxophone Instructor
Birch Creek Music Performance Center Academy (Door County, WI) - Jazz Saxophone Instructor, Jazz Combo Director, Clinician, Assistant Program Director
I am also available for clinics, guest artist and adjudication services. Topics include: Saxophone sound production and technique, Jazz Improvisation/Theory, Ear training & transcription techniques, ensemble coaching (big band and combo), and related subjects.
“I have been attending jazz festivals with my groups for nearly two decades and while each of our clinicians in this setting has provided great feedback, no one has compared to the level of on-site impact Scott Burns was able to make at a festival we attended this year. Everyone knows that jazz music takes a great deal of listening, emulating, theory study, and transcribing to be the best you can be. Scott infused these elements into our workshop, but then actually dug in and made the group sound better in our 45 minute time together. It was the perfect blend of lecturing, modeling by playing, and rehearsing the group. I highly recommend Scott as a clinician, festival evaluator, or guest artist.”
Recent clinician/guest artist/adjudication appearances:
Milwaukee Jazz Institute - masterclasses on Jazz Saxophone Techniques, and Building Bebop Lines (2020-2021)
Highland/Arizona State University Jazz Festival - ensemble adjudicator (2020, cancelled due to pandemic)
Evanston Township High School Jazz Festival - saxophone clinician, ensemble adjudicator/clinician (2018-2020)
New Trier High School Jazz Festival - adjudication and guest directing of high school jazz ensembles (2018)
Evanston Township High School Jazz Festival - saxophone clinician, ensemble adjudicator/clinician (2018-2020)
William Fremd High School - guest artist and clinician (2017)
Iowa Jazz Championships - adjudication of top class of high school jazz ensembles state-wide. (2016)
Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Jazz Heritage Festival - guest performer, clinic on jazz improvisation & ear training. (2016)
Libertyville School District Jazz Festival - guest performer, large ensemble director, clinic on jazz improvisation. (2016)
North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Jazz Competition
Final round adjudication at 2014 conference (University of Illinois - Champaign, IL)
Preliminary round adjudication (2016)
Merit School of Music Jazz Showcase - guest performer and ensemble coach. An outreach program associated with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. (2016)
Louis Armstrong Celebration (Chicago) - adjudication of Chicago Public School jazz ensembles (2015, 2016)
New Trier High School Jazz Festival - adjudication and guest directing of high school jazz ensembles from the upper Midwest region (2015)
Previous positions and clinics:
Northwestern University High School Music Institute - Jazz Faculty member (2005-2008)
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Chicago Chapter - private instruction, jazz combo coaching
Greg Fishman Jazz Studios - private instruction
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - guest clinician
Bowling Green State University - guest soloist/clinician
University of Illinois - guest clinician
Near North Montessori School - private instruction
Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts - private instruction