CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT – Brandon Horrocks
- tiakanigan2
- Jun 30
- 5 min read
About the Music Director Search
This season, the Great Falls Symphony is thrilled to welcome six outstanding finalists as part of our search for the next music director. Each candidate will conduct a concert and spend time in our community, sharing not only their artistry but their vision for what the Symphony could mean in our town.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for Great Falls,” says Executive Director Hillary Shepherd. “We invite everyone–patrons, musicians, and first-time concert goers alike–to come experience each conductor and help us imagine the next chapter of our Symphony’s future.”
Stay tuned for more candidate spotlights as we introduce the other five finalists throughout the season!
Meet Brandon Horrocks
Connection & Arts Education
When you speak with Brandon Horrocks, it becomes clear that conducting is an act of connection between musicians, audiences, and the communities they serve. With a foundation in choral singing and a passion for storytelling through sound, Brandon brings clarity and curiosity to the podium. Whether leading an orchestra or mentoring young musicians, he approaches every role with energy, authenticity, and advocacy.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Brandon was immersed in music from an early age. “Everyone in my family sang and played the piano,” he says. “We all took lessons, it was just part of who we were. My parents weren’t professional musicians, but they knew the value of music and made sure it was part of our upbringing.”
He began his musical journey in choir, joining at the age of five. “Choir was where I felt at home. I’ve been singing ever since.” One of his earliest memories of orchestral music is listening to Tchaikovsky records that belonged to his mother.
“I’d dress up in my little suit with tails I stapled on and pretend to conduct with a radio antenna,” he laughs. “I loved the drama of it. Disney’s Fantasia was a big inspiration.”
While piano provided a musical foundation, it was choral music and a love of storytelling through voice that led him to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Utah. Though he would later transition to orchestral conducting, his foundation in singing continues to shine through. “Having a vocal background helps me connect emotionally to the music and lead with a sense of phrasing and breath,” he explains.
In his early career, Brandon worked in youth development and nonprofit leadership, including senior roles with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego and Greater Salt Lake. “Music was always a part of my life, even when it wasn’t my full time job,” he says. “But when I wasn’t actively making music, I felt it. Something was missing.”
That feeling led him back to school to pursue conducting, this time from the orchestral side. “It felt like coming full circle,” he says. “Orchestra was my first exposure to classical music as a kid. I always knew I wanted to be part of that world.” He earned both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Utah, where he studied under Dr. Robert Baldwin. As a Graduate Assistant Conductor for both the University’s Philharmonic and Campus Symphony, he led full concerts, managed stage and personnel operations, and conducted operatic and contemporary works.
He sees the role of a music director as twofold: both as an artistic leader and a public face of the organization.
“If your face is on the poster, people need to see you in the community. You can’t build trust or relevance if you’re not showing up. This work isn’t about a resume, it’s about relationships. The orchestra belongs to the community, and we as musicians serve that community.”
Brandon's conducting style is shaped by a mix of musical discipline and a sense of play. “I think music should be fun,” he says. “Yes, it’s hard work, but we have the coolest job in the world. If we’re not enjoying it, how can we expect the audience to?”
He believes firmly that a conductor’s job includes breaking down the barriers that often make classical music feel elitist or inaccessible.
“Our job isn’t just to perform, it’s to teach, to invite people in. If we can help the audience understand more, they’ll connect more deeply,” he says. “I never want to create distance from the stage. I want to make space for people to feel something and discover new things.”
Brandon is also a longtime choir section leader at the Cathedral of the Madeleine and serves as adjunct choral staff at the Madeleine Choir School. His work with young singers, in particular, ties directly to his belief in the value of music education and his advocacy for the arts in schools.
“The loss of music and arts programs in public schools is devastating,” he says. “Music helps young people slow down and focus. It challenges their creativity and helps them understand the world in new ways. We need that now more than ever.”
When programming, he enjoys placing hidden gems and works by underrepresented composers alongside well-loved classics. “I like to surprise people with something familiar next to something completely new,” he says. “The goal is to walk out of the concert hall feeling inspired and changed, even just a little.”
Brandon’s interests outside of music include history and documentaries. He is a former Eagle Scout, finding peace in hiking, camping, and being outdoors. “I was a big outdoors kid growing up,” he says. “I loved Indiana Jones and wanted to dig for dinosaur bones. As an adult, I really value my solo time in nature. It helps me reset and unplug.”
Brandon is also an avid traveler, fascinated by people, culture, and shared experiences.
“The more of the world I see, the more I want to see,” he says. “Travel helps me understand both the differences and the common threads between people. I might have been a psychologist in another life; I’m really interested in what shapes people’s experiences.”
Though he currently has no pets, Brandon has “adopted” his neighborhood squirrels that visit his balcony regularly. He enjoys watching birds from his balcony as well.
What can you expect from Brandon’s upcoming program with the Great Falls Symphony?
As he looks ahead to his concert in Great Falls, Brandon encourages people to attend.
“Come meet us,” he says. “There’s an amazing group of candidates, and I think you’ll be excited by what each of us brings. I’m especially looking forward to working with the choir, right in my wheelhouse, and to having fun while doing meaningful, creative work together.”
Brandon Horrocks is sponsored by Pat & Greg Holt. All of our Music Director Finalist Candidates are sponsored by The Gibson Hotel, City Motor Company, and Rib & Chop House–Great Falls!
Get to Know All of Our Finalist Music Director Candidates
This is just the beginning of our journey to finding the next music director of the Great Falls Symphony. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing each of the candidates, all of whom bring something special to the table. Stay tuned for more candidate spotlights, and don't miss the opportunity to see these outstanding conductors in action during their upcoming performances.
To read their professional biographies or to learn more about the upcoming season and buy season tickets, click below.
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