Embarking on a musical career. Again.

Musical Revival
Before returning to America my living was made through music - performing, teaching and composing. Ever since childhood I developed and grew musical skills but never truly appreciated them [Check out www.stephenpbrown.com/performing.html for a brief summary of my musical history]. Since 2001 I have ventured into small business management, corporate USA, and even owned a restaurant, with only occasional forays into the music world. "What are you doing here?" is a question I've often avoided answering, but no longer: After considerable discussion and prayer with my terrific wife, Melissa, I am cautiously and sensibly reviving my musical career with new verve, perspective and know-how.

My recent appointment as the Artistic Director of the Jubilee Symphony Orchestra in Manahattan is only the ground floor of a campaign to conduct world-class orchestras throughout the globe. But I do need your help to get started. Things like websites, photos, promotional materials & goodies, musicians, recordings, etc, all contribute to the necessary costs of a genuine career launch. Of course, I have to pay the bills at home, too!

As a 'musicianary', I am well aware of the financial instability around us and trust you may consider the many ways we are all liable to pay taxes even in tight times - they are just as necessary for survival as our own income. Perhaps, instead of allowing the government to distribute your tax money, you may be willing to decide for yourself how your precious income should be spent. By donating to my nonprofit organization, the "Stone Cottage Arts Foundation", you are able to deduct 100% of that money from your tax bill*. Its all about perspective - even $25 or $50 will help stir a revival, although $1,000+ will ensure my musical and conducting skills are no longer wasted - and you decide if the money you set aside for taxes pays for government bailouts of private companies, or actually contributes to something worthwhile.

You decide.

THANK YOU
I am well aware that times are tough for everyone. Thinking of alternative ways to spend your tax money is probably not at the forefront of your mind right now, but remember: all donations to the Stone Cottage Arts Foundation are 100% fully tax-deductible*. Send a check to "Stone Cottage Arts Foundation" 228 Park Ave S #19265, New York, NY 10003, USA, or click on the donation link here. (Send a check and we'll receive your entire gift - pay online and a percentage goes to the credit card companies!). I look forward to sharing many exciting musical moments with you. Thank you.

*Chartiable giving laws vary from country to country. Please seek professional advice.

Back on the BBC

It's been a while. Years. Probably 10 years if could be bothered to count, but at last I was back on the airwaves via BBC Radio Kent this morning. And I mean this morning. Dominic King's show is 10am-1pm weekdays. That's 5am-8am in NJ.

So v. nice Mr. Producer Steve called me at 6:20am for a coffee-induced attempt at being awake and conversant for an on-air interview w/ Dom. Listen to the interview on my web site here: http://www.stephenpbrown.com/blog.html. I was impressed w/ Dom's open-ended questions and he seemed to listen, too. Rather refreshing! Here's to re-establishing relations at my fave local radio station.

It's Official - Artistic Director of the JSO in NYC!

From: http://www.pr.com/press-release/110515

The Jubilee Symphony Orchestra is Delighted to Announce the Appointment of Stephen P Brown to the Orchestra’s Recently Created Position of Artistic Director

New York, NY, October 12, 2008 -- Known for thrilling performances and a wide variety of musical styles, Mr. Brown will conduct the orchestra for most of its performances in New York City.

Reviving, establishing and growing musical disciplines have provided Stephen P Brown with unique qualifications that are beginning to be noticed in the big league classical music circuits. Currently Musical Director of the Jacksonville Chapel Concert Band, Mr. Brown has been quietly developing a leadership maturity to match that of his international musical youth. In its silver jubilee year, he is leading the JCCB into the 21st century by coordinating an online presence, incorporating media and technology into concerts, popularizing attentive participation by audiences, and developing a branded identity.

Once described by George Hurst as being “too nice to be a conductor”, Mr. Brown has learned how to employ his optimism, enthusiasm and encouraging spirit on the podium, industriously sculpting colorful and energetic musical encounters. He will maintain his position as Musical Director of the Jacksonville Chapel Concert Band.

With regards to the Jubilee Symphony Orchestra Mr. Brown said, “The opportunity to engage some of the USA’s premium talent in a quest to share God’s angelic gift of music is irresistible. It was the orchestra’s ambition to combine New York City’s refined and developing classical music populations to present traditional and participative works that attracted me to seek this privilege, and help unleash the city’s quiet and reserved fondness of stirring and spiritual orchestral music.”

Mr. Brown’s open-ended contract testifies to the orchestra’s belief in his ability to grow and maintain its presence in a complex culture now needing stability more than ever. This is Mr. Brown’s first major orchestral appointment in the USA, succeeding Kamel Boutros who held the position of Music Director earlier this year.

Born in Rochester, England, Stephen P Brown began playing piano at age 7, soon followed by clarinet and percussion. His first public appearance as a conductor was in New Jersey at age 16, and after earning a percussion performance degree from Trinity College of Music at age 18 he became the UK’s first undergraduate conducting student. Since then he’s conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Griffin Orchestra of London, Ealing Choral Society, worked with the Halle and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras, and was Musical Director of the Medway Chamber Orchestra and Kent Youth Percussion. He has toured Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Holland, as well as Malawi and Zambia, and also served as the Musical Director for the Kentish Players, Spotlites Theatre, and Ballet Rambert Education. After reviving the music department at Sittingbourne Community College in 1999, the UK government recognized Mr. Brown’s management style as ‘exemplary’.

In addition to his own compositions, some of the world premieres conducted by Mr. Brown include Antonin Tucapksy’s “Triptychon”, works by Mathew Power and Simon Gaughan, as well as the European premiere of Australian composer Ross Edward’s “Dawn Mantras” as part of the UK’s Millennium Festivities.

The Jubilee Symphony Orchestra is a ministry of Jubilee Missions, founded in Los Angeles in 2002. With an international presence, Jubilee Missions provides music, dance and media support for all denominations of the Christian faith. In particular, the Jubilee Symphony Orchestra works closely with churches throughout New York City and is also embarking on presenting its own program of annual events including children’s and choral concerts, a massive praise event and an annual invitation-only dinner hosted by the Artistic Director.

“We are excited about Mr. Brown’s involvement in our organization. In alignment with our mission, Mr. Brown will be building a platform for local artists to use their gifts for God with excellence and a Christian worldview”, said Christopher Chou, Director of Jubilee Missions New York.

Contact Information
Jubilee Missions
Jonathan Sesman
Tel: 212-602-9904
Cell: 347-754-8694
eventsny@jubileemisions.org
http://www.jubileemissions.org/

New online presence

What happened? I missed almost TWO weeks. Feels awful, but… there it is. So how do you like my new website http://www.stephenpbrown.com/? I was recommended to contact a fabulous little company and I think you’ll agree they did a fantastic job with the layout design. There are still lots of little bits to tweak, which I’m working on, but overall I am so very pleased. If you like it, post a comment below but also click on the first copyright link of each page to visit their website.

While we’re on the topic, how is YOUR website? Is it healthy, productive, confusing, glaring, boring, colorful, successful? I’ve learned there are three basic types of website: an online brochure, a lead generator, and a sales tool. I guess mine is primarily an online brochure that keeps changing as things get updated. What type is yours? Do you sell anything directly through the website, or does it encourage people to contact you for more info? Perhaps you don’t care and it’s just a great dumping space like an old-fashioned journal or diary – But be careful! In the US we’ve recently had a couple of high profile court cases in which online photos, videos and comments have been used to dishonor someone’s credibility. Don’t let that happen to you with pictures of those college drinking days! MySpace, particularly, is full of potentially life-long reputation damaging content.

One of the most exciting things I like to post on my website is include links to really worthwhile causes, such as this completely unrelated but fantastic business, http://www.calligraphiabymelissa.com/. OK, it’s not COMPLETELY unrelated as it’s my wife’s side-job, but it’s got nothing to do with conducting! Another web link I like to promote is http://www.jubileeorchestra.org/, an organization which I am very closely associated with. And I'm always emailing all sorts of links to videos and people and performers and venues and organizations and charities and other things I like. You might like them, too, if you have time to click through them all - perhaps I'll put them all in the same easily accessible place. Anyway. Don’t forget to sign up for my VIP club and get my monthly newsletter of discounted tickets, advance notice of upcoming events, and sometimes even a puzzle (have you seen Disney’s National Treasure films recently?! LOL).

Again, thanks for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon!