WNYC - Soundtracking Surgery

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We all know music has unexplainable benefits/use for our daily lives. This program discussed using music in the surgery room and hospitals:

WNYC - Soundcheck: Soundtracking Surgery (January 08, 2010)

My response:

"Such a fascinating subject. As a conductor of a variety of styles (including some contemporary rock/pop, theater & film music as well as classical), I find it intriguing that music has so far not played a more integral part in all our lives. The psychological, emotional and physical benefits of PARTICIPATING in music (listening as well as performing) far outweigh our understanding... so why don't we embrace it in everyday life? I like that Dr Conrad is formalizing reasons why we should.

"Some of my concerns, however, are not just bad associations (the reason why someone died whilst listening to a particular song could be interpreted a number of different ways) but using music to lull people into unconsciousness - such as Mozart. I'm afraid that we have a generation of children who will fall asleep whenever they hear the slow movement of a Mozart symphony or concerto when, in fact, they are missing out on an incredible aural, emotional & meditative journey! There are also dangers in using music to subdue (or inspire) behaviour as a background medium - in shopping malls, stores, and even public lavatories!

"We should remember: There's more to music than music. Isaac Stern is reported to have said, "Playing music in America you feel like you're selling a luxury item. But in England you're providing a necessity." Maybe he's right - maybe in the USA we should incorporate music into our lives far more than we do. It is obvious that certain music works to everyone's benefit in the hospital environment. Well done!"

"I LOVE NJ ARTS"! make a video

1. Who knew that October is DISCOVER JERSEY ARTS month? How'd I miss that one? Where did you find out about it?
2. Anyone interested in doing some filming? I have a few opportunities for you...


Art Pride New Jersey Foundation wants your videos for arts contest
By Ronni Reich (Star Ledger)
October 12, 2009, 7:29PM
Local arts aficionados with video cameras can win prizes as the Art Pride New Jersey Foundation celebrates Jon Corzine’s official proclamation of October as Discover Jersey Arts Month.

The “I Love N.J. Arts” video contest invites people to submit 30- to 60-minute videos about why they love the arts in New Jersey to Jerseyarts.com. A panel of New Jersey film personalities will judge the submissions in early November. Three winning entries will each receive a customized Flip Mino video camera. Submissions are being accepted through Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Complete contest details and submission information are available at JerseyArts.com/videocontest.

It's still exciting...

I still get a thrill from being on the radio! Thank you, Dave, of Star 99.1 FM!

Click here to listen to the segment.

BTW - Dave is really good at editing, too ;-)

In case you didn't hear...

I became a US Citizen on Friday! Although dual citizenship is not recognized by the USA (and most Western countries), they didn't take my UK passport away.

THANK YOU EVERYONE who helped me get to this point - it's been a very long and expensive journey doing everything by the book (over 7 years and almost $20,000), but well worth it. Special thanks to those who played a direct role: Mike, Rena, Gino, Barbara, Teresa, Judith, Gerald, Tracey, Ben, M&D, Jax Chapel folk, and of course... my dear wife Melissa - I'm so glad she puts up with so much 'me'.

Well, now on with the rest of our life together!

This photo was taken immediately after the ceremony in Newark.

Christmas & Summer Concert British-style Brass Band!

[If you're reading this on Facebook, please go to www.stephenpbrown.com/spbblog.html for all the links to work! And remember to SHARE this post on your wall]

In lieu of a monthly newsletter, I am inviting you to "have your say" regarding one of the most delectable, smooth & brilliant community-based concepts the human soul could ever experience, and consider an idea that has been presented to me several times, particularly in the past few months. Your global/ worldly influence and direct input will ensure the correct, focused, and passionate formation of a British-style Brass Band in Northern NJ.

"What is a British-style Brass Band?" I hear some of you ask.

Brass Bands in the UK and the Commonwealth began in the mines and collieries of the Midlands around 1810, and now consist of 26 specific instruments and players, including three versatile percussionists. All performing members are volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to pursuing a perfect performance, either in community concerts or in regional and national competitions against other bands. Please read this excellent article by Douglas Yeo (trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra) about his experience with a British Brass Band.

It has been suggested that my own experiences playing for several different brass bands in the UK (primarily The Medway Brass Band and Aveley & Newham Brass Band) along with 20+ years training as a conductor, will help develop a new British-style Brass Band in Northern NJ. Alongside the Princeton Brass Band, the Imperial Brass Band, the Atlantic Brass Band, and the ever-growing NABBA, this new ensemble will provide Northern NJ communities (and beyond through CDs & DVDs) with their own creamy* resource for Christmas and Summer concerts.

Please do two things:
1. Answer the five questions in this initial survey, and
2. Encourage as many musicians, community supporters and volunteers as you can to complete the survey, whether or not they live in NJ! You can forward this email, or post the link below in a blog or on Facebook!

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2l1cq9rfzyd22y0/start

Thank you. With sufficient people also excited about this tremendous opportunity, it will not be long before we are able to form, fund and furnish a heart-warming band that many local communities can utilize for a great many reasons!

Please ALSO forward this post to all brass & percussion players, teachers & students in your realm of influence.

Here's a video compilation of a few British-style Brass Bands performing in the Netherlands in 2005:


*as described by Christopher Swann.

Amateur Excellence

I've often been chastized by close friends and colleagues for being a perfectionist, and I've stopped referring to my musical experiences in the UK because they have caused resentment and responses along the lines of: "we're not good enough for you", or "of course the British are so much better than everyone else", or even "you really are mightier than thou." Serious Ouchness. (anyone who can claim to know me well knows how much this hurts).

So rather than share my stories and offer reasons why I like things to be done with our best possible efforts, I just do it. If the results are excellent, Great! If they're not, that's OK too. Yes, I compromise and justify it as 'survival' (!). It's also very interesting to witness so much trendy talk about 'excellence' without any backing commitment to it. I guess one needs to understand what excellence is before one can even attempt to achieve it!

So, I was pleased, VERY pleased to recently come across this article by Douglas Yeo, a US professional musician who witnessed first hand, the kind of musical environment I grew up in. His article has given me confidence and a little satisfaction that I'm OK - I'm alright. The things I worry about are worth worrying about, regardless of what friends & peers often say. Almost beaten to the ground, this article came at the right time to boost my spirits, and I truly look forward to maintaining the pursuit of excellence Douglas himself experienced.


This is one of the brass bands I played for in the UK, The Medway Band. At the back center is my dear friend Mark Andrew, and one of my ex-students, Richard Scarff is now playing for Aveley & Newham - another band I often played with. Good on ya, boys! Keep up the great playing...


I have often felt that the amateur brass band scene in the UK is one of the most intriguing outlets of self-expression that exists, and through it I learned much about dedication, hard work, loyalty, EXCELLENCE, team-work, reliability, presentation, my role amongst others, and society: although fierce enemies on the competition stage, players from different bands will drink beer and laugh together with players from many other bands (usually about conductors, I might add) but all are welcome! The real kick in the teeth? These players engage in these qualities by choice. For Free. At their own will. They're not paid, forced by gov't, or have nothing else to do. Remarkable, endearing, and very convincing.

It's ironic that as I make contacts in the USA brass band world, Doug's name came up as a potential resource! Timing is everything, and I am still convinced nothing is coincidental.

Go on, be a daredevil: don't settle for anything less from yourself. You can accomplish amazing things with the right guidance, so give up any self-centered-ness, and allow perfection to shine through you.

Well deserved peace

I am so very very happy that Ted Van Natta was "promoted" yesterday morning and is, at last, at rest and at peace. He is with our Creator for eternity and probably making a few angels laugh with his jokes. He will be missed all over the world where he traveled so extensively, but there are plenty of others who will be testifying to his artful influence. Hey Ted, smile - you've reached your destination.

Pictures are from Timisoara, 2007

Inclusive Worship

Back in June Melissa and I came across a non-denominational church in Florida that seems to have balanced the celebrity church thing. There is much debate about churches that are based on celebrity pastors & worship leaders, etc, and the recent lack of integrity so prominently displayed by a disappointing wealth-mongering couple in Texas.

In any event, in my experience, most traditional denominations have a Director of Music or leader of worship arts who simply ensures worship takes place. The modern trend of CCM (which is rapidly losing support behind the scenes, btw) employed by so many modern churches seems to favor the promotion of one individual who leads worship, prays, gives notices, and so forth. This causes two problems:
1. Generates a celebrity.
2. Causes rife and separation in the donating congregations.
Why alienate half your church?

The Grace Family Church in FL does have a Worship Arts Pastor, Al Hurley. I have no idea who he is because he was not identified, nor could I guess that 'that guy up front' was him either - there was no 'guy up front'. What is apparent is that he is intent on and capable of inspiring inclusive worship. The congregation were singing throughout, there was a small band on stage with a horn section & percussion, and a show choir. The impressive part was all nine 'lead' singers spread across the front of the stage. Not one of them stole my focus.

For each of the four songs we sang at this service, a different lead singer invited the congregation to join them. In this video, it was the lady in pink, but see the chap at the back of the choir raising his hand? He stepped down to lead one of the songs, alongside the other lead singers. There was no celebrity, there was no yawning in the congregation, there was plenty of singing, dancing and hand clapping, and there was a true sense that worship was taking place.

WELL DONE Grace Family Church! This little servant applauds you!

A Teen Poem

I really like this. Sometimes teens have incredible insight that we don't give them credit for. Check out this poem by Anna Fishel of Mountain Lakes High School. It was published in the school's literary magazine 'Phoenix 2009'. I am particularly touched by the line 'Am I really to believe that there exist some six billion heres'? I have no idea what Anna's faith is based on but that's incredible, and for me gives strength to my own belief. Thank you, Anna, for bringing some light to our thoughts:


Here is where I am
Here is where my thoughts are.
Wherever I go, it follows
or perhaps wherever it goes, I follow.

I cannot be sure.

Here seems to be a bit too crowded
for there to be more than one.
Am I really to believe that there
Exist some six billion heres?

For that matter,
Does there exists a here at all?

Who ever said my thoughts had to be in my head?

What I call me
may very well dwell
in there

And the I,
the namer of things,
may or may not exist separately from the me.

It does not matter where I want to be
because I am here
and here I am.

Anna Fishel, Phoenix 2009