Our Musical Director
Brian C. Mast has served as Musical Director and Conductor of the Maple City Chamber Orchestra since 2002. Previously he has served as Co-Musical Director, Guest Conductor and bassoonist with the orchestra.
Brian’s interest in music began at age 7 after attending a performance of Fiddler on the Roof. Enthralled by the fiddler, he began taking violin lessons, which he continued through college. In fifth grade he also began playing the alto saxophone, and while studying alto saxophone in college, a professor suggested that he try bassoon, which became his major.
Brian holds a BA in Music and Education from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, and an MM in orchestral conducting from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.. At Bethel, Brian performed in the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia, Thresher Jazz Ensemble, 2nd Century Singers, and Concert Choir for which he served as the stu¬dent director. He was also a founding member of the Bethel College Woodwind Quintet and performed in many musicals and operas, both in pit orchestras and on stage. At Western Michigan University, Brian served as the assistant conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Bruce Uchimura. Brian was also the founder and conductor of the University Chamber Strings. Brian has performed with both the Goshen College Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, as well as in pit orchestras for several GC operas. Brian has studied conducting with Dr. Michael Esselstrom at Indiana University South Bend.
Brian works at Goshen College as the Performance Venue Production Manager and Music Center Technical Director. There, he is responsible for managing all of the events in the Goshen College Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall, Reith Recital Hall, as well as the Umble Center. Brian also served as the conductor of the Goshen College Orchestra and Brass ensemble for the 2007 – 2008 season.
Previously, Brian served as the Director of Instrumental Music at Bethany Christian Schools for seven years, where he conducted the high school and middle school orchestras, created and led the Bruin Jazz and the String Chamber Ensemble, and assisted the Jubilate Singers.
One of Brian’s favorite things to do is work with musical theater. Brian has collaborated with the Elkhart Civic Theater, serving as conductor for their summer musical productions of Annie (2005), Beauty and the Beast (2007), Seussical (2008), and Footloose! (2009) at the Elco. While at Bethany, he directed and conducted the musicals Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and co-produced and conducted You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Brian lives in Goshen with his wife Cheryl, their daughter Mackenzie, and sons Tristan and Tobias.
