Brian O. Walden
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. NAVY
DIRECTOR

A native of South Carolina, LCDR Brian Walden holds a bachelor of arts degree in music with a double major in religious studies, Magna cum Laude, from Saint Leo University, FL, and a master of music degree in wind ensemble conducting (Academic Honors) from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, where he was a student of Charles Peltz, Frank Battisti, and William Drury. He also studied orchestral conducting with Richard Hoenich, the former Assistant Conductor of the Montreal Symphony. A 2004 Fellow at the Conductors Institute of the University of South Carolina, LCDR Walden has also studied music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Northern Illinois University, Old Dominion University, Newberry College, SC, and many other conducting clinics/workshops. He has guest conducted orchestras and wind ensembles and performed as a trumpet instrumentalist in over 74 countries. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in national security strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, and is a graduate of the Music Basic Course (Accelerated Graduate) and Enlisted Bandleader Course at the Navy's School of Music, where he subsequently served as Head, Concert Band Branch, Head, Jazz Ensemble Branch, and as Rehearsal Techniques/Conducting Instructor. As a trumpet instrumentalist, LCDR Walden has served in Navy Bands in Charleston, SC, New Orleans, LA, Guam, Marianas Islands and Norfolk, VA. Highlights of these tours were his selection as the Commander, Naval Forces Marianas Sailor of the Year (1988) and as Assistant Leader of the U.S. Navy Showband for UNITAS (1991) throughout South America and Africa and tours onboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), USS Obannon (DD987), USS Barnstable County (LST 1197), and others.

Prior to transferring to the Naval Academy, LCDR Walden served as the Executive Officer of the U. S. Navy School of Music and was the Director of Training. Previous assignments as a Navy Bandmaster include positions as the Director of the Commander In Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO) Band, a multi-national/multi-service military band in Naples, Italy, and as the Director of the U.S. Navy Band at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, IL, the only Navy Band that was founded and conducted by John Philip Sousa. He performs professionally with the Virginia Wind Symphony, the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra, Salsa e Mas Orchestre (a touring Latin salsa ensemble) and freelances as an instrumentalist, composer, and arranger throughout the Southeast. He was the Director of Music at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach where he conducted the Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, Children's Choir, and performed with the Contemporary Ensemble. He also served as the orchestral brass instructor for the Virginia Beach Public Schools Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. LCDR Walden is currently a student in the doctor of musical arts program at Boston University, where he is studying music education.

Most recently, LCDR Walden has lectured at Old Dominion University on the music of American composer Charles Ives and, as trumpeter with the Virginia Wind Symphony, performed with the American Brass Quintet, performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL, recorded two saxophone concerti with soloist Lynn Klock, Professor of Saxophone at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and appeared in Latin ensembles backing "El Cano" Estremera, Paquito "Junior" Acosta, and Maiello Ruiz. As a conductor, recent performances have included Schubert's "Mass in F" with original wind ensemble, percussion, and organ instrumentation, Don Marsh's "A 1940's Christmas Homecoming" for choir, jazz ensemble, and orchestra, and a current project of Moravian Christmas Music for choir and Moravian brass ensemble. His current research project is an historical project on the music and literature of composer George Thaddeus Jones.

LCDR Walden's military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (seven), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two), Navy Good Conduct Medal (four), National Defense Service Medal (two), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (six), NATO Medal (two), and others.

In his leisure time, LCDR Walden enjoys sailing the Chesapeake Bay and volunteering at events for his church community. Listed among his most notable, fun achievements are performing the Papal Mass of Pope John Paul II at the University of New Orleans, coaching the All-Italy Little League Baseball Team at the European Championships in Kutno, Poland, and extensive travel on every continent except Antarctica! He has proudly served as a Navy musician for 25 years (and counting) and continues as an eager student of music and life!

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