Brian was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He began playing the piano at the age of five and studied at the Bedford Studios before attending Queen’s University where he studied piano performance with Sophie Bristow, and composition with John Burge. After completing his Bachelor of Music degree, he studied electronic and computer music with Keith Hamel at the University of British Columbia. During his time in Vancouver, Brian won second prize in the prestigious CBC National Radio Competition for Young Composers for his orchestral work, When Worlds Collide. This included a performance by the CBC Vancouver Orchestra conducted by Mario Bernardi which was broadcast over the CBC Radio Network. Brian then earned his Doctor of the Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, studying with William Albright, and Pulitzer Prize winners Leslie Bassett and William Bolcolm. While in Ann Arbor, he won another CBC prize for his string quartet, Quanta. This piece was performed by the Quatuor Arthur-LeBlanc at the Competition Celebration in Moncton, New Brunswick; again, including a nationwide broadcast on the CBC Radio Network. Dr. Jagger has also won the SOCAN Pierre Mercure Award for his 4 études for solo flute.

Brian has been commissioned to write works for concert band, wind ensemble and choir, and is the music director for the Top Hat Marching Orchestra, as well as the former music director for the Albertones Senior Men’s Choir.  Dr. Jagger resides in Burlington, Ontario with his wife and two children where he also teaches piano and plays keyboards in the band Bliss.