Hayes School of Music

Scott Robert Meister

Scott Robert Meister (March 19, 1950- ) was born in Elyria, Ohio. He received the Bachelor of Music degree in education from Ashland College, the Masters of Music in percussion performance and theory/composition and the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition/Theory from the University of Miami. Before receiving his position at Appalachian State he was performing in Jerry Lewis’s orchestra and Ann Margret’s orchestra as a percussionist. He joined the Appalachian faculty in 1974 and was hired to be the director of percussion studies, teach theory, composition, a jazz ensemble, and build an electronic music studio. He directed the percussion ensemble, the second Jazz Band, and created the 12 member Jazz Improvisational Ensemble. The improv ensemble was  a copy of Jerry Coker’s ensemble at the University of Miami where he studies with Jerry.  He was the Cannon Camp Director in the early 80’s and was responsible for bringing the NC Symphony to campus for summer performances. In the fall 1985 he began the project of building a set of steel drums to enhance the percussion program. The first performance of the ASU Steely Pan Steel Band with the  original steel drums was on the steps of the Broyhill Music Building in the Spring of 1986. Since then, the Steely Pan Steel Band has performed hundreds of concerts throughout the south and even did a concert tour in Hawaii in 1998. Besides the steel band, Dr. Meister created the ASU Middle Eastern Ensemble that performed authentic middle eastern dance rhythms.  It was the only university middle eastern ensemble in the U.S. and it performed and gave a clinic at the Percussive Arts International Convention (PASIC).

In 1994 Dr. Meister was named the Sharpe Chair Professor and held that title until he retired in 2014.  The endowed chair was established by a generous donation by Eileen Lackey Sharpe. Dr. Meister worked closely with the Hiddenite Cultural Center in Hiddenite North Carolina. It was a partnership with the Center and ASU where ASU would support the Center with the arts. In 2012 Dr. Meister became the President of the Hiddenite Board of Directors. Because of the Sharpe Chair he was able to pursue his composition and other creative endeavors.

In 1998 Dr. Meister’s son, Ehren, was the Student Government Association president and his daughter, Gretchen, was the ASU homecoming queen that year.  And a couple of years later his youngest daughter, Kristan, was a member of the Appalachian Ambassadors who gave future ASU students tours of the campus.

In 1999 Dr. Meister was awarded a composer fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council. He used the funds to travel to Trinidad/Tobago as well as Ireland. Because of these trips he was able to establish the International Irish Program, a study of Irish Traditional Music, and the international Trinidad/Tobago program, a study of Caribbean music and the steel band. The study abroad program in Ireland was at the University College in Cork and the Trinidad Program was at the University of The West Indies. These were the first study abroad classes offered in the School of Music. In 2004 Dr. Meister created a Southern Caribbean cruise course that would occur during Spring break each year.  It was an opportunity for his students to study and experience the cultures where steel drums originated.

Dr. Meister has over sixty published works and has received commissions for bands, choirs, and a variety of chamber ensembles.  He has won numerous composition awards, the most recent being his sixth A.S.C.A.P. Composers Award.  His composition “Gravitons” for orchestra and piano, was premiered by the Indianapolis Symphony and his “Feles Galactica” was performed by the Virginia intercollegiate Symphonic Band.  As a guest composer at the Spoleto Festival, his composition "HIGAZ" was performed and recorded by the Charleston Symphony.  He has won the Hinda Honigman Gold Cup for Composition twice and he is listed in "Contemporary American Composers: A Biographical Dictionary”.  He has published over 50 steel band arrangements which are performed all over the world.

Dr. Meister served on the School of Music’s Personnel Committee (SPC) for almost his entire time at Appalachian State. He also served on the University’s International Study Abroad Council for many years. Right before he retired he was awarded the newly created International Leadership Award. 

During the 20th anniversary celebration of the Steely Pan Steel Band in 2005, the alumni of the band established the endowed scholarship in his honor.  Dr. Meister retired in 2014 and ended his career with a concert of a mass steel band of over 100 steel drums. Many alumni joined the Steely Pan Steel Band concert for this amazing performance.

As many of Dr. Meister’s students and colleagues know, he spent his summers at their family cottage in Northern Ontario.  After retiring he and his wife Jan (high school sweet heart) spend as much time as they can at their cottage in Blind River, Ontario. When not at their cabin, They spend time cruising around the world with his retired colleague and wife, Dr. William and Sandy Harbinson.

Awards/Honors:

• Several ASCAP Composers Awards
• North Carolina Composer Fellowship 
• TwoHinda Hongman Gold Cups for Composition 
• Composer in residence Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC (“Higaz” performed and recorded by the Charleston Symphony)
• Awarded the Sharpe Chair of the College of Fine and Applied Arts (an endowed Professorship at Appalachian State University)
• Winner, Indiana State University’s national composition contest (World premiere of “Gravitons” by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.)
• Guest composer/conductor of the Virginia Band Directors Symposium X. (Virginia Intercollegiate Symphonic Band performed “Feles Galactica”)
• Appalachian State University Plemmons Leadership Medallion
• ASU Administrator Internship, Office of the Vice President of Academics
• ASU’s nomination for the Governor’s Doctoral Study Program
• Scholarly Leave of Absence Award
• Who’s Who in Percussion
• Who’s Who in American Music
• Listed in “Contemporary American Composers: A Biographical Dictionary”
• Two Outstanding Teacher Awards, SGA, Appalachian State University
• Plemmons Leadership Award, Appalachian State University
• Hayes School of Music Outstanding Teaching Award
• International Leadership Award, Appalachian State University

Publications:

• Several articles and over sixty musical compositions published by Ludwig Music
• Publishing Co., Cleveland, OH,  Spectrum Music Publishing, Columbus, OH. 
• C. Alan Music Publishers, Greensboro, NC. and Panyard Publishing, Akron, OH. 
• Honeyrock Music Publishers, Everette, PA. and Hal Leonard Music, Milwaukee, Wi.