Scott Boerma is the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Western Michigan University, where he conducts the University Symphonic Band and Western Winds. Prior to this appointment, he was the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Michigan and Director of the renowned Michigan Marching Band.
Boerma was recently inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame. He is also an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
Boerma earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting at Michigan State University and his Master of Music degree in music education at the University of Michigan, where he also studied composition with Pulitzer-Prize winning composer William Bolcom. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education at Western Michigan University, where he also studied composition with Ramon Zupko. Boerma has also studied composition with Anthony Iannaccone at Eastern Michigan University.
After serving as the music arranger for the Madison Scouts from 1989-2006, 2015-18, and 2013-present, Scott returns in 2025 for his 25th year in this role. After marching in the Scouts’ baritone section in 1984 & 1985, Boerma was a member of the brass staff from 1986 through 2006, serving as the caption head for most of those years. Additionally, Scott has arranged for drum and bugle corps and bands from across the US, Japan, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Thailand. A majority of the Big Ten University marching bands have performed Boerma’s arrangements. Boerma has also written arrangements for Broadway’s “Blast,” the Boston Pops, and the Detroit Chamber Winds Brass.
An active composer, Boerma’s concert band works have been performed by many outstanding ensembles, including “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Navy Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, the University of Illinois Wind Symphony, the University of Michigan Symphony, Concert, and University Bands, the Michigan State University Wind Symphony & Symphony Band, the Interlochen Arts Camp High School Bands, and the Music For All Honor Band of America, to name just a few. He is commissioned each year by high school, university and community bands to write new works for the repertoire.
Boerma is also in demand as a band/orchestra conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. He serves as a guest conductor for several honor bands and community bands throughout the nation each year, including the Interlochen World Youth Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble, the Music For All Summer Symposium Concert Band, the Michigan All-State High School and Middle School Bands, and many more. He often conducts the Detroit Chamber Winds Brass holiday concerts.
