Brent Minet Music

For Minet, music has never simply been a profession—it has been a way of life.

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He began studying piano at the age of five and knew by junior high school that music would become his career. Inspired by an exceptional band director and encouraged by his high school music teachers and private piano instructor, Minet initially envisioned a future as a music educator. At the same time, another passion was already emerging: composition. He began writing music at a young age and, while still in high school, developed an interest in writing for larger ensembles and began exploring orchestration.

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Minet continued his musical education at Buffalo State University, where he studied composition and orchestration with Dr. James F. Mabry III, whose music and mentorship became an important influence on his development as a composer. He also studied composition for a period with Dr. Aaron Cassidy. Minet earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Buffalo State University in 2006 and later earned a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies in 2014. His additional professional training includes Level I and Level II certifications in Orff Schulwerk.

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As a composer, Minet has written for ensembles ranging from saxophone quartet, flute and piano, and brass quintet to string ensemble, concert band, and orchestra. His musical influences draw heavily from classical music, jazz, and film music, with the work of John Williams holding a particularly important place among his inspirations. Yet Minet’s ultimate goal as a composer is not to fit neatly within a stylistic category. His aim is more personal: he wants listeners to feel his heart beating through the music he creates.

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Among his original works is Kate’s Fall for saxophone quartet, premiered by the Buffalo State University Saxophone Quartet under the direction of Dave Schiavone. His concert band work A Sunny Stroll was premiered by the Burgard High School Concert Band in Buffalo, New York, under the direction of Lisa Godwin.

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Minet has also developed a strong reputation as an arranger in Western New York. He has served as a go-to arranger for a series of R&B productions in the region, specializing particularly in horn arrangements and professional charts. His arranging work has also extended into the orchestral world, including two arrangements created specifically for the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Advanced Ensemble.

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The Buffalo Suzuki Strings Advanced Ensemble is one of the most sought-after youth orchestras in the world, making the opportunity to create music for the ensemble a particularly meaningful part of Minet’s arranging career. His arrangements include A Spoonful of Disney, a medley featuring songs from Disney films, and Hej Sokoly!, a traditional Polish folk song. These works demonstrate Minet’s ability to adapt diverse musical styles and source material for string ensemble while creating arrangements that are engaging for both performers and audiences.

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In 2025, Minet established Brent Minet Music, his own publishing company, as the next step in bringing his compositions and arrangements to a wider audience. His published works are available through Sheet Music Direct, Sheet Music Plus, and J.W. Pepper. His ambition for the company is straightforward but far-reaching: to put his music into the hands of musicians and ensembles around the world. Ultimately, Minet hopes to hear his original compositions performed internationally and used in television and other media.

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His work as a performer is equally diverse. A professional pianist and organist, Minet has performed in jazz, blues, rock, soul, R&B, and Top 40 settings. He has opened for nationally recognized artists and groups including Lonestar, John Michael Montgomery, Travis Tritt, Duke Robillard, and Blue Öyster Cult. His performance career has also brought opportunities to work with international artists including Jack Gavin, Richard Newell—better known as King Biscuit Boy—James Anthony, Jack de Keyzer, and Lou Pride.

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As a session keyboardist, Minet has contributed to recordings by numerous local and international artists, including James Anthony and Chris Murphy. His studio work has extended into commercial media, including local advertising jingles and Christmas recordings that later appeared in holiday television programming.

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Another significant chapter of Minet’s performing life was spent in church music. From 2001 through 2025, he served First United Methodist Church in North Tonawanda, New York, as organist, pianist, and choir director—more than two decades of musical service and leadership.

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Minet has also worked extensively in musical theater. As a music director with the Young Actors Academy of Western New York, he has provided musical leadership for productions including Chicago, Footloose, Annie, The Wiz, The Wizard of Oz, and Grease.

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Alongside his work as a performer and creator, education has remained one of the defining pillars of Minet’s career. His teaching experience stretches from kindergarten through the collegiate level and encompasses private, charter, public, and higher-education settings. He began teaching K–5 music at Niagara Charter School in Niagara Falls before teaching K–8 at Notre Dame Academy in Buffalo. He also directed the Jazz Ensemble at Niagara County Community College from 2008 to 2010.

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Since 2015, Minet has taught in the Buffalo Public Schools. He currently teaches at International Preparatory School, where his courses include Exploring World Music, Introduction to Music Industry, and Introduction to Music Technology and Production. His students have opportunities to earn college credit through partnerships with SUNY Erie and Villa Maria College, allowing Minet to bring college-level musical study into the high school classroom.