Brian H Norcross Senior Director of Instrumental Music & Conducting Studies and Senior Teaching Professor of Music

Biography

Brian Norcross has been the Conductor of Instrumental Ensembles at Franklin & Marshall College since 1986. He directs the Franklin & Marshall Orchestra, Philharmonia, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble and he teaches conducting. A champion of new music he has directed over 60 premiere performances with various ensembles. In addition he is also the Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, where he directs the Chancel Choir and administers eight other choirs.

He has also been the Artistic Director of Allegro, the Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster, since 2002. Allegro is a professional ensemble, specializing in music of the 18th century performed with an exciting 21st century twist. The members of Allegro greet audience members before the performances and during intermission creating a unique, accessible concert experience. In addition Dr. Norcross will be the director of the newly formed Allegretto Youth Chamber Orchestra which begins it first season in the fall of 2009.

He is an active guest conductor and clinician in Pennsylvania and Maryland. His most recent conducting appearances include the Pennsylvania Music Educators Region IV-V All-State Orchestra, District 7 and District 12 Orchestras, Lancaster-Lebanon County Wind Ensemble, Lancaster County Youth Symphony (PA), OperaLancaster (Lancaster PA), and Old York Road Symphony Orchestra (Jenkintown PA). He has also arranged and conducted ten benefit concerts for the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired.  

He has a number of publications including a book, titled One Band that Took a Chance. Dr. Norcross is a recipient of the Massachusetts Music Educators Lowell Mason award for outstanding contributions to the field of music education. The Franklin & Marshall senior classes of 2004 and 2008 voted him "Most Influential Professor in the Arts and Humanities."

He received his doctorate, with distinction, from The Catholic University of America in Washington D. C.; his master's, with performance and academic honors from New England Conservatory in Boston, MA; and his bachelor's from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He and his wife Kim are active volunteers in the community and have four children: Molly, Megan, Greyson and Gloria.

Education

DMA, The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C, 1992
M. Music Ed., New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, 1986
B.S. Music Ed., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 1981

Course Information

MUS 152/252 Orchestra
MUS 153/253 Symphonic Wind Ensemble
MUS 352/452 Philharmonia
MUS 240 Conducting
MUS 340 Advanced Conducting