Andrew Bruhn

Biography

Andrew Bruhn is the Director of Choral Activities at Illinois State University. A versatile musician, Dr. Bruhn has worked as a professional choral conductor, educator, composer, church musician, and trumpeter.

His teaching experience spans middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. He has received multiple honors, including Golden Apple Foundation nominations, regular recognition on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s “Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students” list, and both the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and University-level ISU 2025 Creative Activity Initiative Awards. Under his leadership, ISU Choirs earned 2025 Honorable Mention for The American Prize in Choral Performance (college/university division, larger program) for their performance of Mozart’s Requiem.

Dr. Bruhn holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studying with Andrew Megill. He earned a Master of Sacred Music from Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College, studying with Anton Armstrong and Christopher Aspaas, and a Bachelor of Music from Wheaton College.

As a trumpeter he performed with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, working under conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, John Nelson, and Gerard Schwarz. At the Interlochen Arts Camp he received the Fine Arts Award for Trumpet (2000) and was the Illinois Emerson Scholar (2003). He also attended the Aspen Music Festival and School, performed at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and National Trumpet Competition, and won the October 2004 International Trumpet Guild Young Artist Award. His primary teachers were William Scarlett, Charles Geyer, and Barbara Butler.

A published composer and scholar, his music appears with major publishers, and his scholarship has been featured in Choral Journal and The Choral Scholar. He enjoys time with his wife, two daughters, and golden retriever.