SCHS Choir Director

Post date: Jul 28, 2015 5:03:32 PM

Dr. Brian Russell comes to Stewarts Creek High School with twelve years of teaching experience in Tennessee, Illinois, and New York, during which he has led musical ensembles to outstanding success.

Dr. Russell received his Bachelor of Music from MTSU and his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Prior to his most recent appointment at Oakland High School he was Assistant Professor of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, was on the choral faculty at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY, and taught high school in Sumner and Rutherford Counties. While choral director at White House High School, his choirs received the highest score at the MTVA Choral Festival and were invited to perform for the Tennessee Music Educators Association’s State Conference.

He is the recipient of the coveted Walter Hagan Conducting Prize, was a finalist in the National Conducting Competition through the American Choral Director’s Association, and is the winner of the ACDA Julius Herford Prize, a national prize awarded for outstanding research in choral music. While a student at Eastman he studied choral and instrumental conducting, leading performances with choirs and orchestras of works by Beethoven, Haydn, Stravinsky, Mozart, and many more, and studying with some of this country’s most renowned teachers.

“It is my hope that the Choirs at Stewarts Creek High School will quickly establish themselves as one of the premiere programs in the state, region, and even nation,” said Dr. Russell. “All students interested, regardless of previous experience, are encouraged to join this fall for a fun challenge that will introduce you to new people, all styles of music, and an experience you’ll carry with you for a lifetime!”

Dr. Russell lives in Smyrna with his wife and three children.