Dr. Brian Messier is founder and Artistic Director of the 2016 American Prize winning Valley Winds based in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. In addition to his role with The Valley Winds, Messier is Director of Bands at Dartmouth College, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Youth Wind Ensemble. He also teaches courses in applied conducting, musical leadership, and entrepreneurship in the arts. After arriving at Dartmouth in 2019, Messier launched a Mexican Composition Competition, which he has since stewarded into the Mexican Repertoire Initiative at Dartmouth: an ongoing commitment to bringing Mexican repertoire to the international stage, providing opportunities for Mexican composers, and combating institutionalized racism in educational and professional performing ensembles.
Prior to his position at Dartmouth, Messier served as Artist in Residence and Director of the Wind Ensemble at Williams College and was Director of Bands at Belchertown High School, where his ensembles consistently received highest ratings at state and national levels, including being awarded the American Prize for High School ensembles in 2016. Lauded for his work with youth instrumental groups, Messier is in high demand as a clinician and guest conductor.
Messier received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Ithaca College, his master’s degree in wind conducting from the University of Massachusetts, and his doctoral degree in conducting from the University of Minnesota where he studied with Craig Kirchhoff.