Michael Scott Butler serves as the Director of Bands at Youngstown State University in the Dana School of Music. In this role, he oversees all facets of the university’s band and orchestra program, conducting the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Dana Faculty Ensemble, and also serves as the Music Director for the YSU Youth Orchestra.

Since joining YSU in 2021, Dr. Butler has diligently upheld the rich and strong legacy of musical excellence. Under his guidance, the Wind Ensemble has consistently earned prestigious accolades for their outstanding performances. In 2023, the ensemble received multiple honors for excellence, securing second place in The American Prize Wind Ensemble category and was selected as one of the finest small university wind ensembles to showcase at the National College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) conference. Furthermore, the ensemble had the honor of performing at the 2023 Northeast Ohio Band Invitational held at Severance Hall, home of The Cleveland Orchestra. Invitations for performances at the 2024 CBDNA North Central Conference and Ohio Music Educators Association Conference underscore Dr. Butler's commitment to musical excellence. He strongly believes in offering transformative and memorable experiences for musicians through frequent collaboration with high-level musicians, composers, and conductors. Notable recent guests include conductors Colonel Jason Fettig of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Maestro Anthony Parnther, Music Director of the San Bernadino Symphony Orchestra, and acclaimed composers Michael Markowski and Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Previously, Dr. Butler served as the Director of Bands for six years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where the Symphonic Wind Ensemble was recognized twice by CBDNA as one of the finest small university wind ensembles in the nation, first in 2017 and second in 2019. The ensemble was also selected through blind peer review to perform at the 2019 Wisconsin Chapter of the National Band Association Conference in Eau Claire. Additional experience includes serving as the Associate Director of Bands & Orchestra at Spruce Creek High School, the Director of Bands at William R. Boone High School, and teaching at the University of Florida. Ensembles under his leadership flourished and received invitations to perform at the Florida Music Educators Conference and the renowned Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Butler is an active clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, including guest conducting ensembles such as the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, the United States Army Field Band, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, and the Packard Band. He regularly collaborates with composers and has received high praise for his ensemble’s performances and interpretations. A staunch advocate of new music, he regularly commissions new works to ensure talented composers contribute to the repertoire. Recent commissions include leading a consortium by Juilliard composer Wayne Oquin, which was awarded the 2018 National Band Association’s William D. Revelli composition prize, and spearheading the commission of the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Julia Wolfe’s first composition for wind band. He remains active as a researcher and academic writer, contributing articles to music educator journals and the GIA Series “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.” Additionally, he serves the profession on various committees including as the Ohio State Chair for CBDNA and as a judge for The American Prize.

The National Band Association has awarded Dr. Butler multiple Citations of Excellence for his contributions to wind bands. He is an active member of the College Band Director’s National Association, the National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education. He is also a proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Mu Phi Epsilon, Kappa Delta Pi, and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and Pi Kappa Lambda.