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Brian P. Nutting |
Brian Nutting is the Director of Bands at Troy High School since 2000 and has been teaching since 1991. He is a graduate of
Western Michigan University and earned his Master of Music degree with conducting emphasis from Bowling Green State University.
While a graduate assistant, Brian conducted the University Band, charted and served as guard instructor for the Falcon Marching Band, and
assisted with undergraduate conducting and band methods courses. Brian studied tuba with Robert Whaley and conducting with Richard
Suddendorf and Mark Kelly. In addition, he studied voice with Mel Ivey, and performed in the WMU University Chorale, Grand Chorus
and Gold Company. He completed further graduate studies in education through Marygrove College and is currently pursuing a doctoral
degree in Philosophy of Music Education.
Mr. Nutting began his teaching career as a middle and high school choir and band director in Bad Axe, MI. After graduate school he
was appointed Eaton Rapids Director of Bands. During his eight year stay in Eaton Rapids, the program expanded from 37 to 150 members,
one concert band to three, and a second director was hired. In addition, he was named teacher of the year in 1993 (American Association
of University Women, Eaton Rapids) and in 1995 (Eaton Rapids Public Schools). He concurrently served as Assistant Conductor of the Lansing
Concert Band.
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In 2000, Mr. Nutting was appointed Troy High School Director of Bands where he directs the cadet, concert, symphonic, jazz and marching bands, as
well as all chamber ensembles, with a combined enrollment of over 240 students. Under his baton, the Troy High School Bands have received
consistent top ratings at district, state and national levels in jazz, marching and concert settings. The bands have been invited to perform
at music festivals and venues throughout the United States and in Europe, where the Marching Band led the London New Year's Day Parade in 2006.
Mr. Nutting's desire to promote musical growth in his students has inspired him to develop programs that reach beyond the walls of Troy High School.
In 2009, he created the Promoting Rewarding Instrumental Music Ensembles (P.R.I.M.E.) Project - a collaborative undertaking with musicians
of the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Students received individualized instruction in various chamber ensembles culminating in a full
length chamber music recital. Mr. Nutting also implemented a jazz artist-in-residence program with professional trumpeter, Kris Johnson.
In 2011, the Troy Bands launched a community outreach program. "Taking It to the Streets" moves music out of formal concert
halls and extends it into the community, seeking to reach all age groups and breathe life with the joy and inspiration of music.
These efforts - along with his excellence in the classroom - have garnered Mr. Nutting recognition throughout the Troy School District and beyond.
He was nominated for Troy "Teacher of the Year" three times (2003, 2004, and 2007) and, in 2009, named the recipient. The
Detroit News named him "Teacher of the Week" in December of 2003. In 2011, he was named "Teacher of the Year" by the Michigan School
Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District XVI. The University Musical Society, based in Ann Arbor, MI., named Mr. Nutting its 2012
DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year in recognition of "his passionate commitment to arts education at Troy High School and to the transformative
power of the arts in the community at large." Most recently, his peers nominated him for induction into the American School Band Directors
Association (ASBDA), the only organization dedicated to the continuing improvement of K-12 concert band programs throughout the United States.
Mr. Nutting is an active member of MSBOA, currently serving on the State Music Selection Committee. He frequently acts as substitute director
of the Detroit Civic Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. He is also an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.
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