Scott Mendoker
Biography
Scott Mendoker has earned a reputation as both a superb musician and a distinguished teacher. As a free lance tuba player, Scott has performed and/or recorded with the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops and the Broadway hit – “Ragtime”.
As a soloist, Mr. Mendoker has performed throughout the United States – giving recitals and performing as a guest soloist with orchestras and bands, alike. Highlights include the world premier of “Serenata” for Solo Tuba and Wind Ensemble by David Sampson in Carnegie Hall with the Rutgers Wind Ensemble (March 2005) and, again, with the United States Air Force Academy Band in Denver (June 2006) and the world premier performance of “The Bezoar Concerto” by Vern Miller, Jr. with the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” (January 1997). Recordings include “Kansas City Dances”, a tuba concerto by David Holsinger with the Rutgers University Wind Ensemble – Dr. William Berz, conductor (Mark Records – MCD 2824) and David Sampson’s “Three Portraits” for Tuba and Chamber Orchestra with members of the Czech Philharmonic (Summit DCD 237)
As a longtime student of the late Arnold Jacobs, widely considered to be one of the greatest brass pedagogues of the 20th century and Principal Tuba with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for over 44 years, Scott has become one of the few Jacobs’ “disciples”. Brass players from around the United States have sought his advice. Scott has also studied with Warren Deck, Principal Tuba with the New York Philharmonic (retired). Scott has taught in Taiwan, at the invitation of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, coaching the brass section of the National Youth Orchestra during their Festival in August 2005. He has also given master classes in Bolivia during the Philadelphia Brass tours in March of 2006 and 2008. Some of Scott’s students include Chris Olka, Principal Tuba of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Paul Mergen, member of the tuba section of the United States Marine Band – “The President’s Own”.
Scott was a member the Performance Faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University for over 21 years. He has also just concluded a two-year interim position at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he taught tuba, euphonium and created and directed both the EuBa Group (euphonium and tuba ensemble) and UMass Brass (an eleven-piece brass choir consisting of the top graduate and undergraduate brass players). Scott was also a member of the faculty brass quintet – Infinity Brass.
Currently, Scott teaches at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford as a Senior Artist/Teacher where he teaches applied tuba and coaches the 20/20 brass quintet.
Also, Mr. Mendoker is a member of the New York Chamber Soloists, the Westfield Symphony and the renowned brass quintet – Philadelphia Brass. (www.philadelphiabrass.com)
Scott lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with his wife – Annie (a professional horn player), their daughter – Emma and their dog – Lucy.
