About

Brian Hollett - Director of Instrumental Music

Biography 

Mr. Brian Hollett was born in Long Beach, California. He received a Bachelors in Music in Education, as well as a Masters in Horn Performance from the University of Redlands. Upon graduation in 1995, he enlisted with the Marine Corps as a full-time bandsman with duty stations in New Orleans and Kaneohe Bay Hawaii. During his eight years of service, Mr. Hollett played ceremonies, parades, and concerts all over the United States for military personnel and civilians alike. Some notable performance included: Eretria Independence Celebration, at the American Embassy in Asmara, Horn of Africa; recognition of the Wake Island Survivors, a televised broadcast on the History Channel; and the Kuwait Liberation 10th Anniversary at the Ali Al Salem Airbase, a performance attended by President George W.H. Bush and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. 

After leaving active duty, Mr. Hollett enlisted as a part-time musician with the Air National Guard Band at Channel Islands Air Base, Port Hueneme and began his civilian career as a as a music educator at Wilson High School, East Los Angeles. During his time in the Air Guard, Mr. Hollett toured the United States as a musical ambassador of the Armed Services, playing in almost every state. He was deployed to areas of Southwest Asia such as Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, Oman and Qatar playing for the troops, embassies, foreign dignitaries, and civilians. As a music educator, Mr. Hollett brought the Wilson High School marching band from last place to 2nd place at LAUSD finals in the span of five years. He is currently serving with the 40th ID National Guard Army Band stationed in Los Alamitos, California. 

In 2015, Mr. Hollett became the Director of Instrumental Music at Redlands East Valley High School. During his time at REV, he has earned numerous awards and accolades including 2019 Employee of the Month, 2024 Teacher of the Year nominee, 2024 REV Medal of Honor, and 2025 Teacher of Excellence. Mr. Hollett has provided his students with performance opportunities that include travel to San Francisco, Orlando, and multiple cities in Europe. His students have been recognized for their participation in All-District, All-County, All-Southern, and All-State Honor bands and orchestra and have earned numerous Unanimous Superior ratings at both local and regional festivals. They have also attended multiple championships at the SCSBOA Marching Band Tournaments, winning a 3rd place bronze at the 2023 Tournament, while winning trophies and awards at numerous national festivals. 

Mr. Hollett continues to perform as a freelance musician travelling the United States to perform in concerts and participate in recording projects. For two seasons he played 4th horn in the Redlands Symphony and currently is a professor of Horn at California State University San Bernardino. 

Mr. Hollett's teaching philosophy is rooted in his love of music and belief that music is for everyone. The rich diversity found among cultures, religions, and peoples inspires him to create concert programs that reflect the diversity of the students in his classroom. He believes music is a common language between all of humanity that deserves to be expressed and shared. Mr. Hollett hopes to inspire his students with a lifelong love of music, as well as the knowledge and 

skill to pursue music in the capacity that fits their lives best: in a church band or orchestra, community group, garage band, college pep, marching band or career musician. Many of his former students have continued on to play in college at such universities as BYU, Cal State Fullerton, UCLA, and USC just to mention a few. 

Mr. Hollett's favorite part of his job is watching his students grow throughout their four years in the program. Mr. Hollett has a passion for teaching leadership skills to his students and runs a vigorous leader selection and training process. Students must attend a weeklong clinic on the basics of leadership before preparing for interviews with a panel of marching band and orchestra staff, writing an essay on leadership, and preparing a musical audition. Those selected continue their training at "Leadership, the Disney Way" a seminar provided by Disneyland's Imagination Campus. Student leaders are also given the opportunity to hear from special guest speakers and former student leaders, as well as attend weekly leadership meetings and trainings throughout the season. 

Mr. Hollett is an avid Disney fan and recently completed the "Disney Half-Marathon," after which he celebrated his success on the beautiful "Disney Magic." He enjoys time in the parks whenever he can, appreciating the quality entertainment created by the Disney corporation and drawing inspiration from their movies and shows. Mr. Hollett has many friends in the "Disneyland Band" including some REV music alumni. He enjoys cheering them on during their performances and has created a Christmas Brass Quintet with them to perform holiday music in December.