Donald Scott, 2012 Recipient

Donald Scott attributes the influence of his high school choral director, the late Dale Grotenhuis (d. 2012), in his decision to pursue a career in music education. He received his BA from Calvin College and his MA from Western Michigan University. He also took post-graduate courses from various other universities. Don has taught in junior and senior high schools for 40 years–first in Bellflower, CA at Valley Christian and then for the next 37 years at Grand Rapids Christian High School. His teaching assignments included various choirs, ensembles, voice classes, and psychology classes, as well as directing numerous musicals.

Don has been a member, soloist, and Chorus Master of the Western Michigan Opera Association (now Opera Grand Rapids), and the Calvin Alumni Players. He sang with the Calvin Alumni Choir under directors Anton Armstrong, Charles Smith, and Pearl Shangkuan. He has taken Western Michigan choirs and instrumental ensembles on seven European tours, the last performing in Austria and Italy in June, 2001. For 19 years Don was also the director of a community male chorus, The King’s Choraliers, from which he resigned in 2011 due to health concerns. The King’s Choraliers performed at the Midwestern Music Conference at the University of Michigan during the American Choral Directors Choral hour in January, 2000. Under his direction, the Grand Rapids Christian High School’s A Cappella Choir performed during the 1980 Midwest Conference MSVMA Choral Hour and at the 1993 Michigan Youth Arts Festival as a Michigan outstanding ensemble.

Don has been an active member of the American Choral Director’s Association. He was also actively involved with the Michigan School Vocal Music Association and served as District Manager, State Madrigal Supervisor, and as the State Adjudication Supervisor. He continued to adjudicate MSVMA activities until only the past few years. He was also a Field Supervisor of vocal music student teachers at Aquinas College from 2006 through 2010. He received the 1985 MSVMA Teacher of the Year award and directed the 1991 MSVMA State SSAA Honors Choir. Don retired in 2001, but returned to teach for the 2004-2005 school year. He was granted MSVMA Emeritus status in 2003.

Don and his wife, Jean, live in Caledonia. They are the parents of three married children and three grandchildren. After many years of preparing and directing concerts, Don now enjoys listening to the concerts that someone else has prepared and performs, although he still listens with a somewhat critical ear!