Meet Chris Brown: Director of Music

In addition to his position here at St. John’s, Chris serves as Artistic Director of Appalachian Children’s Choir, is the Director of choral activities at Horace Mann, AND the Director of choral activities at the university of Charleston. Here’s an interview by Margaret Lieberman:

When Chis Brown was young, he dreamed of becoming an astronaut. His favorite subjects were math and science. He was first introduced to music in the form of a recorder by his 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Morris. He developed as a musician by playing trumpet in the marching band at South Charleston High and then attended Glenville State where he was exposed to choral music in addition to his trumpet studies. He was selected as a member of the chamber choir and the jazz singers. After graduating with a master’s degree in trumpet, he moved into the field of music education, first in Taber City, NC, then in Charlotte. Chris obtained his National Board Certification in early childhood music education and worked with children’s choirs.

Chris stresses the importance of the lyrics in the music he conducts. He felt drawn to have a closer relationship with spiritual music and accordingly applied for the position at St John’s. His long-term goal is to build the St Ambrose choir back up to its glory days as one of the pre-eminent choirs in the Kanawha Valley.