Percussionist Brian Prechtl has been a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2003. Before joining the BSO, he was a member of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic in Fort Wayne, IN for 14 seasons. Previous to that appointment, he held Principal Percussion positions in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Prechtl spends his summers in Jackson Hole, WY as a performer in the Grand Teton Music Festival where he has been a member of the percussion section since 1992.

He graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan in 1984 with a Bachelor of Music degree and went on to earn his Master of Music degree from Temple University in 1986. There he studied with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and performed as a substitute player in Philadelphia.

Education has been a major focus for Prechtl. He has been a leader in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s outreach program, OrchKids since its inception 11 years ago. He teaches percussion and has piloted a “bucket band” program that has served as a model for El Sistema programs across the country. He recently published Bucket Band Basics– a primer for teaching artists. In 2016 he was awarded with a Ford Award for Excellence in Community Service from the League of American Orchestras for his work in the OrchKids Program.

An active composer, Prechtl has had world premiere performances at the Grand Teton Music Festival, the Eastman School of Music, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and throughout Baltimore. He has won composition prizes from the Percussive Arts Society and the College Music Society. He also serves as the composer in residence for the Community Concerts at Second Chamber Music Series since 2011. He recently produced a CD of his compositions for music and the spoken word, which are settings of Walt Whitman’s Poetry from Leaves of Grass.

Brian has been very active in orchestra governance. He currently serves as co-chair of the Baltimore Symphony Musicians Players’ Committee and has been pivotal in leading throughout the recent lockout and the ensuing resolution, which have allowed the Baltimore Symphony Musicians to return to the stage. Prechtl also serves as union steward and ICSOM Delegate.

Brian Lives in Ellicott City with his husband Tad and their Pit Bull, Clarence. All three of them can be found hiking and camping when they have the opportunity to be in the great outdoors, either in Grand Teton National Park or in Patapsco State Park in Maryland.