Larry H. Lang is the new Executive Director of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra in Flagstaff, AZ. He has a distinguished career as a music executive, military commander, conductor, producer and educator. During his 30-year military career, Lang led five Air Force bands, culminating as Commander and Conductor of the United States Air Force’s premier musical organization in Washington, DC, from 2012 to 2019. He has led events for five U.S. Presidents, numerous foreign dignitaries, Congressional leaders, senior Department of Defense officials, and served as a key advisorto Air Force senior leaders on the use of music to demonstrate excellence and build positive community and diplomatic relations around the globe.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Lang is a graduate of New Mexico State University where he received degrees in Music Performance (Trombone) and Music Education in 1980. He received his Masters degree in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire in 1982 and joined the faculty there the same year. He went on to serve as the Assistant Director of Bands at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA from 1983 to 1989. Lang was commissioned as an officer and bandleader in the U.S. Air Force in 1990 and has served across the globe, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to support U.S. and allied troops and develop positive international relationships.

Lang has produced and performed in multiple Emmy and Telly Award-winning productions for NBC, PBS, and many other broadcast organizations. Known for his innovation, he created numerous online music videos including the Air Force Band’s popular holiday “flashmobs” that became viral sensations and reached over 75 million viewers worldwide. He has also been the Executive Producer for over 50 recordings in almost every music genre, released on several major labels and widely distributed on commercial streaming services.

In 2005, he was honored with membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, the professional association of master conductors and composers; considered the highest honor achievable by an American bandsman. His musical leadership has been recognized three times by The John Philip Sousa Foundation with a Colonel George S. Howard Citation Award for Musical Excellence, the highest international award for military concert bands and conductors. He is in high demand as a conductor-clinician, conducting music ensembles and teaching around the world.

Lang assumed his current position as Executive Director of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra in June of 2019 as the Symphony kicked off its 70th anniversary season.

Kyle Darden joined the FSO team in 2020. He has extensive expertise in database and software applications for marketing and financial functions. Additionally, Kyle has ten years of experience in events planning and coordination for various organizations. His most recent position was with Native Public Media, where he consulted Broadcasting Managers in grant compliance and the promotion of indigenous sovereignty through media access and production. Prior to this role, he worked as the Data Coordinator Analyst for United Way of Northern Arizona, with priorities to disseminate information to key stakeholders. Kyle’s most significant project was a reconstruction of the application and grants process in 2018.
Kyle was born in Tuba City, raised in Flagstaff, and is a member of the Navajo Nation. In his spare time, he enjoys wrestling with his dogs, watching movies on his extensive list, and cooking unique dishes.

MaryAnne Bruner joins the staff of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra as Music Librarian. She began her musical studies in San Antonio, TX, playing piano from an early age and cello from age 9. She holds degrees from the University of Kansas (Bachelor of Music in Cello & Music Theory), Cleveland Institute of Music (Master of Music in Cello Performance) and The University of Texas (Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance).

Dr. Bruner has played professionally for over 40 years, including the Kansas Little Symphony, New Cleveland (OH) Opera Orchestra, Austin (TX) Symphony Orchestra (19 seasons) and Austin Lyric Opera Orchestra (10 seasons). She has been a member of the cello section with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra since 1997. Additionally, she has been a soloist and chamber musician performing in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Aspen (CO) Music Festival, and at venues in Germany, Austria, and Poland.

Dr. Bruner’s teaching experience also spans more than four decades, including private cello lessons, chamber music, and music theory. She has developed numerous traditional and online college courses, has multiple print and electronic publications and CDs to her credit, and has offered international master classes, as well as workshop presentations in Texas and Arizona. In the past 30+ years she has been widely sought as an adjudicator and clinician, with eighteen years of college-level teaching in Texas and Arizona, followed by fourteen years at a nationally-ranked charter school (grades 6-12). Her string and full orchestras have earned Gold and Superior recognitions in many competitions around the southwest.