Brian G'froerer was a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra from 1974 until retirement from the orchestra in 2008, first as Assistant Principal, then moving to Third and Associate Principal horn in 1980. He received his early musical training in Vancouver, studying horn with Robert Creech (former Principal Horn of the VSO) through high school and at the University of British Columbia and by playing in the VSO as an extra from 1964 to 1974. Summer studies were with Eugene Rittich (former Principal Horn of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra) while a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada during numerous sessions in the 1960's. Further studies included an intense period of work with Wendell Hoss in San Diego.

In addition to the VSO, Brian was the Principal horn of the CBC Radio Orchestra from 1976 until the orchestra’s demise in 2008, and was heard as such in their many CBC SM5000 recordings, as well as on the orchestra's regular national radio broadcasts. Other performing has been with Vancouver New Music, Masterpiece Music, the Vancouver Chamber Choir (Brahms’  ‘Songs for Women's Voices, Horns and Harp’, Op. 17, recorded on Virgin Classics), wind and brass ensembles, opera, ballet and Broadway-show pit orchestras, plus countless radio and TV jingles, television series and film scores. He has also, over the years, performed with the Calgary, Victoria, Winnipeg (Assistant Principal 1965-66) and National Arts Centre orchestras.

Brian has been active as a teacher over the years, for a time in the early 1970s as a high school band instructor, then as a horn teacher at the Vancouver Academy of Music, the University of BC, the University of Victoria and at numerous local colleges. Summer programs in which he has been involved include the Courtenay Youth Music Camp, the Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts and CAMMAC at Shawnigan Lake, BC. He has been a board member of the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra and has served on awards panels for BC Cultural Fund and the Canada Council.

Brian continues to freelance and to teach, both privately and through the Vancouver Academy of Music, bringing his many years of experience in orchestral performance to audition preparation for senior students and young professionals.

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