About us
The South Carolina Brass Band was founded as a non profit organization in March of 2019 by Nicholas Fife. Initially the band functioned as a brass ensemble, with a more flexible instrumentation. We had open rehearsals at Winthrop University and Coker University that year. At each of these rehearsals the students were encouraged to sit in with the ensemble. We were able to have one chamber concert before the pandemic struck later in 2019. During the lockdown in 2020 the band produced a children's concert series on YouTube. We were finally able to have another performance in December of 2021 at Coker University with the Coker University Pep Ensemble.
In January of 2022 JD Shaw joined us as the Music Director. The band then became a community ensemble and adopted a traditional British brass band instrumentation. The band quickly grew to have over 35 members. In 2023 SCBB came in second place at the National Brass Band Association 10 piece brass ensemble competition. SCBB has performed at Allen University, the Pelion Performing Arts Center, Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center, Winthrop University, and Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church.
SCBB is an ensemble dedicated to brass band music in its various forms and styles. Concert programs include original works, transcriptions, and arrangements for a traditional British brass band. While SCBB will refer to the full ensemble, there can be representative chamber ensembles from within the band. Care is given to establish relationships with local educational institutions to help promote the brass band tradition. Participation in regional and national brass band competitions is also encouraged.
JD Shaw, Music Director
JD Shaw's horn could melt the polar icecaps, while the entire band pours it on in a molten manner. – All About Jazz Magazine
JD Shaw is Associate Professor of Horn at University of South Carolina and was formerly the French hornist with the internationally acclaimed Boston Brass where he was creative director, music arranger and co-owner of the ensemble. JD is an active solo artist and travels extensively throughout the United States as well as many countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition, J.D. has also been a featured performer on National Public Radio's Performance Today and the CBS Morning Show.
JD received his Masters of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he was awarded the Performer's Certificate under the tutelage of horn pedagogue Verne Reynolds. Hailing from Hutchinson, Kansas, he earned his degree of Bachelors of Music at the Wichita State University studying with Dr. Nicholas E. Smith. Other influential teachers include Roland Berger, David Krehbiel, Peter Kurau, and Philip Myers. Orchestral credits include associations with the Rochester Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Symphony, and the Boston Pops. Prior to his position at University of South Carolina, Professor Shaw has held teaching posts at Boston College, University of New Mexico and University of Miami.
As an active performer and prolific arranger, JD has recorded over 15 albums encompassing diverse musical styles from the Classical, Jazz, and Latin genres. Such record labels include Loft Recordings, Mark Records, and Summit Records. His Latest album entitled "Tales of Imagination" features Professor Shaw showcasing new music for solo horn and wind band. This album, released on the Summit Records recording label is conducted by former CBDNA President Eric Rombach-Kendall and performed by the University of New Mexico Wind Symphony.
As a prolific arranger, Professor Shaw writes music for many orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles. His arrangements are featured with several publishers and can be heard on many recording labels and performance stages across the world. Currently, he is the music arranger for the world champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps.
JD Shaw is dedicated to promoting music education for young, aspiring musicians. While teaching technical and musical achievement, J.D. strives to endow students with the wisdom to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit through the studies of finance, marketing, program development, salesmanship, internet skills, and effective interpersonal communication. With the help of Conn-Selmer, Jupiter Music, National M.E.N.C., and VH1's Save the Music foundation, he has taught master classes for young artists across the world spanning age-ranges from elementary to college. Also, J.D. has presented and performed clinics and workshops for music educators at events such as the Mid-Europe Music Educators Convention, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles convention, National Musical Educators National Conference, and The Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic.
Nicholas Fife, CEO and Founder
Dr. Nicholas Fife is a horn pedagogue and performer from Fort Mill, South Carolina. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina (2011), followed by his master's degree from Louisiana State University (2013), where he served as the graduate teaching assistant for the horn studio. Dr. Fife finished his DMA at the University of Texas at Austin (2020). His professional performing career began while attending the University of South Carolina, performing with Symphony Orchestra Augusta and the South Carolina Philharmonic. He has since performed with the Laredo Philharmonic, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Mid Texas Symphony, Louisiana Sinfonietta, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Tigerland Brass Quintet, Beaufort Symphony, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Rock Hill Symphony, Florence Symphony, Canton Symphony, Cleveland Institute of Music, Freedom Brass Band, the Texas All Star Horn Professor Horn Choir and other ensembles in North America. In December of 2013 Dr. Fife earned the second horn position with the Beloit Janesville Symphony and performed with the orchestra until May 2015. Dr. Fife has also performed as a soloist with the Beloit Janesville Symphony and the Balcones Community Orchestra.
Nick's years of pedagogical experience include teaching horn and chamber music at Texas A&M International University and brass studies at Coker University, where he formed the Coker University Brass Ensemble. He currently teaches horn at Winthrop University. He has also been a guest lecturer for many institutions of higher learning, including The Academia de Música de Costa Cabral, University of Texas San Antonio, Davidson College, Hastings College, Texas State University, University of North Carolina Charlotte, University of Texas Horn Day, and for the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.
Aside from teaching and performing, Nick likes to spend his spare time composing and arranging. Since 2011 Dr. Fife has been composing works for brass and electronics. In June 2018, the Atlantic Brass Quintet premiered one of his compositions at the Mostly Modern Festival, which led to several commissions. Nick has over a dozen published works with Wavefront Music and Sheet Music Plus. Dr. Fife's compositions have been performed all over the United States and internationally, including the Beloit Janesville Symphony, The University of Texas, University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin Whitewater, New England Conservatory of Music, Mannes School of Music, Florida State University, Texas State University, Sound Thought Festival (UK), Texas A&M International University, University of Louisiana Monroe, Coker University, The University of North Carolina Wilmington, and the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute.
Dr. Fife recently founded the South Carolina Brass Band, which consists of college brass professors, band directors, orchestral musicians, freelancers, and community members. The goal of the organization is to bring British brass band music to the Palmetto state. His great hope for the organization is to combine brass band with his love of education by expanding the group to include youth brass ensembles in the near future.
