BRIAN DOLLINGER

conductor

With twenty concert seasons at the helm of the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Dollinger begins his twenty-first year with energy and discovery. During his career, he has conducted orchestras across the United States as well as in Europe. Whether he is conducting symphonic repertoire on the concert stage, opera, musicals, ballet, pops, multimedia productions, working with mimes, or crafting engaging youth education programs, Mr. Dollinger brings inspired vision, musicality and energy to each performance.

"There are many fine conductors in this country who really know what they're doing and those who work extremely
well with artists and audiences.

There are only a few who excel at not only both of those skills but who also get their orchestras to play to their best abilities... Brian Dollinger hits the trifecta and his ebullient personality and warmth on stage are simply bonuses that come with the package."

Steve March-Tormé, guest artist & entertainer

Bringing his own personable approach, combined with a clear musical technique and vision, he has led orchestras in exciting and engaging concert productions including the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra, Lomzynska Orkiestra Kameralna, Muncie Symphony Orchestra and the Marion Philharmonic among others.

He is the Music Director for numerous orchestras including the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra. He continues as the Music Director for the Clinton Symphony Orchestra (IA) and as the Artistic Director for the Kamuela Philharmonic (HI).

For numerous summers, Mr. Dollinger was the conductor for the summer opera program of the Genesius Guild. He conducted numerous performances of some of the most beloved staged productions including Die Fledermaus,

Gianni Schicci, The Tenderland, A Hand of Bridge, and the Old Maid and the Thief. He has also conducted performances of My Fair Lady, Dido and Aeneas, Music Man, Showboat, The Nutcracker and others.

"His performance proved to be unforgettable and
one of the most significant artistic events."

Jan Milosz Zarzycki, Music Director, Lutoslawski's Philharmony, Poland

He has a passion for teaching, conducting and mentoring young music students. He has held positions with Bradley University, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan Civic Orchestra, Ball State University Symphony Orchestra, Youth Music Illinois, the East Central Indiana Youth Symphony Orchestra, and he is a founder and faculty member of the Illinois Chamber Music Academy. His dedication to teaching students all about music has also broadened into becoming the music teacher for upper grades (5th-8th) at Bethel Lutheran School. In addition, Mr. Dollinger
continues to work with student ensembles and music classes through presentations and clinics throughout each concert year both in the Midwest and in Hawaii.

"Maestro Dolinger reminded me of the days when Yoel Levi conducted the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
For, Dollinger needed no score in front of him as he took to the podium. Every note and bit of instructional coding reposed in his head.... He’s a very impressive conductor who interacts very well with an audience."

Robert Heller, Atlanta Arts Scene

During his conducting studies, he has worked with many prestigious pedagogues. Glenn Block,
Adrian Gnam, John Farrer, Larry Rachleff, Manual Alvarez, Leonid Korchmar, Toshiyuki Shimada and Dirk Brossé are but a few of his mentors. During his graduate and post-graduate studies, Maestro Dollinger was the recipient of numerous academic awards including induction into the Phi Kappa Lamda Honor Society.

Mr. Dollinger is dedicated to discovering new ways of bringing the symphonic experience into modern culture through creative programming that is welcoming to all types of concert goers.

Mr. Dollinger served in the United States Marine Corps where he was a part of combat and support operations for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. During his time in the Marine Corps he also took part in numerous humanitarian joint task force missions to impoverished Central American countries.