Born in Brooklyn, New York, Brian Worsdale is a conductor, educator, instrumentalist and an ISO alum (’94). Brian is the founder and conductor of the ISO Symphonic Band. He has been a member of ISO since 1992.
His conducting studies began at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division (now Pre-College Division) under the tutelage of Maestro Jonathan Strasser. It was at MSM that Brian Worsdale conducted performances of Strauss’s Serenade for Winds at The Conrad Strasser Memorial Fund Concerts. He served as assistant conductor for the Pre-College Symphony, Philharmonic and Repertory Orchestras. Through ISO, Mr.Worsdale was also involved with the young conductor roundtables of The New York Philharmonic and worked with Riccardo Muti, Kurt Masur, and Larry Tarlow.
Other conducting engagements included adjunct faculty for Wagner College Theater and conductor for Snug Harbor Cultural Center. There he led performances of Sweeney Todd, Camelot, and Oliver! His love of musical theater brought him to the attention of the Staten Island Symphony where he helped produce, stage direct and prepare performances of My Fair Lady, Richard Rodgers Centennial Celebration, and A Night on Broadway.
Brian Worsdale is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts in Delaware County, New York. There he leads the Symphony Orchestra and various musical productions while overseeing one of the most comprehensive performing arts programs in the United States. In 2007 he welcomed Jamie Bernstein Thomas to French Woods as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of West Side Story with a closing camp performance.
He is also Artistic Director and Conductor for the Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band. This 75 piece ensemble is one of the most diverse and talented community ensembles in New York City. He has worked with a great variety of artists including members of the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Glenn Egner, Marcus Rojas, Julie Wilson, Jamie Bernstein Thomas, Julie Wilson, The Young People’s Chorus of NYC, Gregg Whiteside, and countless others.
Mr. Worsdale has appeared as guest conductor with a variety of ensembles and at district/county music festivals throughout the USA and abroad including: Experience the Music (sponsored by Bands of American) of Indianapolis, The Royal Spa Brass Band and City of Coventry Youth Orchestras (UK), The Kilkenny Youth Orchestra(Eire), The Bergen Youth Orchestra (NJ), and The Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra.
When he is not conducting, Mr. Worsdale is director of performing arts for Visitation Academy in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. There he supervises the theater and music program and conducts the first all-girl British-style brass band in the United States.
Email: Mr. Brian Worsdale
