While Brian Holmes was working on a PhD in experimental low temperature physics in Boston, he studied horn with Harry Shapiro, neglecting his graduate studies to play horn with the Boston Ballet and the Boston Opera. He is now a member of the Physics Department of San Jose State University, where he has neglected his students to perform with the San Jose Symphony and Opera San Jose. His research specialty is the physics of music. He plays with the Peninsula Symphony, the Mission Chamber Orchestra, the Menlo Brass Quintet, and the San Francisico Composers Chamber Orchestra. Holmes is also a composer, with numerous publications, commissions, awards, recordings, and performances to his credit.
