Josh Biere ’07 returned to campus March 31 to perform a tuba recital at IWU’s Westbrook Auditorium. The program included “Box of Justice” by alumnus composer Brian Baxter ’07.

Based in Montgomery, Illinois, Josh earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University after graduating from IWU. He is the principal tubist with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and holds the principal tuba chair with the Kenosha (Wisconsin) Symphony. He regularly performs with the Chicago Composers Orchestra and has performed with the St. Paul (Minnesota) Chamber Orchestra.

Brian Baxter (b.1985) is a Chicago-based composer and drummer whose music is vigorous, direct, and heavily influenced by personal experiences of places and environments. Lawrence A. Johnson of The Classical Review has described Brian’s music as “smartly scored and makes effective impact with economy of means.”  Having co-founded the Chicago Composers Orchestra, Brian serves as a co-Artistic Director and Board of Directors President overseeing all aspects of the organization. Brian’s passion for new music is equaled by his passion for music education and is put to work as Director of Operations with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras where he oversees more than 500 student musicians in a variety of orchestras and chamber music groups that perform across the Chicago area and around the world.  Brian has received two Individual Artists Program Grant Award from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and six consecutive ASCAP PLUS Awards. Brian holds degrees in music composition from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (M.M.) and Illinois Wesleyan University (B.M.).