BGSU High School Honor Band

Matthew Dockendorf

Dr. Pamornpan Komolpamorn

Brian Nutting

Brian Nutting is the former Director of Bands at Troy High School (MI) and has dedicated more than three decades to music education, beginning his teaching career in 1988. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Conducting from Bowling Green State University. As a graduate assistant, he conducted the University Band, arranged and instructed the color guard for the Falcon Marching Band, and assisted with undergraduate conducting and band methods courses. His principal teachers included Robert Whaley (tuba), Richard Suddendorf and Mark Kelly (conducting), and Mel Ivey (voice). During his undergraduate studies, he performed with the WMU University Chorale, Grand Chorus, and Gold Company. He also completed graduate studies in education at Marygrove College and pursued doctoral coursework in the Philosophy of Music Education at Oakland University.

Mr. Nutting began his career as middle and high school band and choir director in Bad Axe, Michigan. Following graduate school, he was appointed Director of Bands for Eaton Rapids Public Schools (MI). During his eight-year tenure, the band program grew from 37 to 150 students, expanded from one concert band to three, and added a second band director to meet increasing enrollment. His leadership earned him Teacher of the Year honors from the American Association of University Women (1993) and Eaton Rapids Public Schools (1995). During this time, he also served as Assistant Conductor of the Lansing Concert Band.

In 2000, Mr. Nutting was appointed Director of Bands at Troy High School, where he led the cadet, concert, symphonic, jazz, and marching bands, pit orchestra, and numerous chamber ensembles, serving more than 240 student musicians annually. Under his direction, the Troy High School Bands consistently earned top ratings at district, state, and national festivals in concert, jazz, and marching performance. The ensembles performed at prestigious festivals and venues throughout the United States and Europe, including leading the London New Year's Day Parade in 2006.

Committed to creating meaningful musical experiences beyond the traditional classroom, Mr. Nutting developed several innovative educational initiatives. In 2009, he founded the Promoting Rewarding Instrumental Music Ensembles (P.R.I.M.E.) Project, a collaboration with musicians from the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings that provided students with individualized chamber music coaching culminating in a public recital. He also established a Jazz Artist-in-Residence program featuring acclaimed trumpeter Kris Johnson. In 2011, he launched "Taking It to the Streets," a community outreach initiative designed to bring live performances beyond the concert hall and into the community, sharing the joy and transformative power of music with audiences of all ages.

Mr. Nutting's dedication to excellence in music education has earned widespread recognition throughout his career. He was nominated three times for Troy School District Teacher of the Year before receiving the honor in 2009. The Detroit News recognized him as Teacher of the Week in 2003, and in 2011 he was named Teacher of the Year by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District XVI. In 2012, the University Musical Society honored him as the DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year, recognizing his passionate commitment to arts education and his belief in the transformative power of music within both schools and the broader community.

His professional accomplishments also include induction into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), an organization dedicated to advancing excellence in K–12 band education, and honorary membership in Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Nomination/Application Forms - Applications are due by September 23, 2026. NEW​ this year: All applications will be done via google forms. If a student is interested in placing into the select honor ensemble, there will be a video audition upload at the time of registration to the google form. Please have your student state their name at the beginning of the video. It will consist of a 2-octave chromatic scale, 2-octave major scale of your choice, and a ~1:00 min selection of your choice displaying your technique and musicality. Percussionists can play scales on xylophone or marimba and perform a snare etude and/or mallet excerpt for their 1:00 min selection. 

If a student is not interested in auditioning or does not audition into the top ensemble, and are selected by nomination, they will be placed in one of two like-ability bands for the festival. We will assign seats and parts based on the recommendation of the director.

Based on the auditions, ensemble placements, parts, and viewable music will be shared with directors and students prior to arriving to BGSU for the festivals so they may begin practicing their music.

For additional assistance feel free to contact us by email: bgsubands@bgsu.edu or at 419-372-2186

TBA

How do I get nominated for the BGSU High School Honor Band?

All nominations must come from your school director or a private teacher. Your teacher can contact us at bgsubands@bgsu.edu to get the nomination forms.

How will I know if I’m selected?

All communication is done via the email provided for you on the nomination forms. If selected, you and your teacher will receive an email from us with registration and acceptance forms.

What if I’m having trouble returning my acceptance forms?

All forms must be returned using the Google Form. Please fill out all the information completely. If you wish to be considered for the select top honor band, please submit the audition video to the google form. You may use a computer, smartphone, or tablet to record and upload.

How do I pay to participate and do you offer scholarships?

Unfortunately we are unable to offer scholarships or financial assistance. All payments must be made electronically through our EMarket. The links for that will be in your acceptance materials.

What does it mean when it asks if I will be a resident or commuter?

Resident students are housed in the hotel (see more information below) and commuter students arrive and depart each day for all activities and do not stay in our hotel.

What is included in the price to participate?

Cost of all instruction
BGSU Honor Band Shirt
BGSU Wind Symphony Concert on Thursday night
BGSU Jazz Band Concert on Friday night
Master Class or other professional presentation on Friday
Final concert by all HSHB participants on Saturday afternoon
Dinner (all you can eat) on campus on Thursday
Breakfast at hotel on Friday (resident only)
Morning snack of fruit and water on Friday morning
Lunch (all you can eat) on campus on Friday
Dinner (all you can eat) on campus on Friday
Breakfast at hotel on Saturday (resident only)
Morning snack of fruit and water on Saturday morning
Lunch (all you can eat) on campus on Saturday

What if I will be a resident participant and staying in the hotel?

Students staying in the hotel are considered ‘resident students’, and for the student only the BGSU Band Office make quad-occupancy hotel arrangements. Chartered bus service to/from BGSU to the hotel is provided.

What if my family wants to stay with me for the duration of the event in a hotel?

Sometimes families want to accompany participants. In this case, families would simply make their own hotel accommodations and register as a commuter student. For questions about this, or preferred hotel rates reach out to us directly.

What if I have dietary restrictions? Do I need to bring my own meals?

Our full-service dining facilities can manage any food restriction or dietary need. We will use the information you provide in your acceptance forms to coordinate any meal accommodations needed.

Can I bring my own food and snacks?

For the safety of all participants bringing food and snacks is discouraged. Healthy snacks of fruit and water are provided for all participants each day. There is a special “snack store” available at the hotel for resident students. Please bring cash – small bills preferred – to buy items at the hotel store. Food deliveries are strictly prohibited to the hotel and to the campus. Any DoorDash, UberEats, etc. deliveries will be refused.

Do I need to bring money?

All meals and snacks are provided, so the only reason you might need some cash is if you plan to purchase things in the hotel. Please bring small bills if you plan to purchase from our “snack store” in the hotel.

What should I wear?

The final concert is performed in the BGSU shirt we provide and denim (blue jeans) so you do not need a uniform or ‘dress clothes’. For the event, you should dress comfortably, but know that you will be walking short distances outside to meals, so dressing in layers with a coat is ideal. Most likely what you would normally wear to school is appropriate.

Do I need to audition?

If you wish to perform in the top honor ensemble, a short video audition is required at the time of application. If a student is not interested in auditioning or does not audition into the top ensemble, and are selected by nomination, they will be placed in one of two like-ability bands for the festival. We will assign seats and parts based on the recommendation of the director.

I still have questions! What should I do?

There is a chance we have not addressed something you need. Please reach out to us directly at bgsubands@bgsu.edu so we may assist you.