Composer, Conductor, Educator - Anita Brown - News

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An Intriguing Invitation

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0800

I have been invited by Marine Ssgt Parish (Staff Sergeant) from local Marine Corps Office of Public Affairs to attend the USMC MEOP (Musicians' Enlistment Opportunity Program) weekend during the first week in May. This is an all-expenses paid weekend for educators and other musicians who are considered influential in their community to learn about career opportunities in music, offered by The United States Marine Corps.

It seems I'll have an opportunity to observe the bands at work, meet the top leaders of today's Marine Corps Music Program, tour the National Museum of The Marine Corps (YAYYYY!!), get a tour of their archives (that will likely include some of the works of John Phillip Sousa) and attend an Evening Parade Marine Corps rehearsal and performance at Marine Barracks, 8th & I, Washington, DC.

Sounds like an educational opportunity I would be a fool to miss! Many thanks to Ssgt Parish!

~AB

SEND IN THE MARINES!

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

I couldn't be happier to announce that The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon has availed themselves to the premiere of my piece of performance art conceived to integrate their performance with my jazz orchestra. Stand: A Symphony for Jazz Orchestra will be premiered with Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra under my baton in Nyack, NY on September 10, 2011, in commemoration of the American experience of our national tragedy of September 11, 2001.

While I await confirmation of paperwork, the Captain in charge of Operations for the precision drill team indicates that it "...shouldn't be a problem Ma'am."

Please visit the calendar and check back for updates! This is a daunting task so please be sure to visit the website where you can help with a tax-deductible donation through Fractured Atlas. Visit www.standsymphony.com

RECORDING!

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

I am pleased to announce that The Las Vegas Academy Jazz Ensemble has just recorded my big band arrangement of my original tune, "Santa's On His Way" under the direction of Pat Bowen. Thanks LVA!! Love you guys!!

"Quagmire" to be performed by the 2010 New Jersey All State Jazz Band

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

My piece, Quagmire, will be performed by the 2010 New Jersey All State Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel. The performances will take place in a casino to be announced in Atlantic City, NJ on Thursday, November 4, 2010 and at NJPAC (NJ Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ) on Friday, November 12, 2010.

Dr. Kunkel is the Director of Jazz Studies at Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ and has served as President of the NJ Chapter of IAJE, NJ Music Educators' Association and NJ All-State Jazz Band Coordinator.

Anita is Included in NPR's "Hey Ladies" Survey & Online Database

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I recently completed a survey for NPR Music’s “Hey Ladies: Being A Woman Musician Today” online database. My answers "helped to inform a series of radio features airing on NPR throughout the summer." There is a web presentation of this project where folks can view the responses of hundreds of women musicians who took part in this survey.

Visit the blog or links page for links to my answers.

Big Band Arangements for Judi Silvano

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Judi Silvano has asked me to expand the two small ensemble charts I wrote for her over the winter into big band charts. She will be performing them in Israel in early June! We are both looking forward to running them down with Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra in mid to late May in New York. Judi is also considering learning some of my existing vocal charts and we look forward to the possibility of performing together in the future.

Arrangement for Frank Wess Octet

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

I am thrilled to have been asked to write an arrangement for Frank Wess' octet. The arrangement will be for one of his original ballads entitled "Entre Nous" which means "Between Us."

This will be performed by The Frank Wess Octet on their run at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, NYC, January 19-24, 2010, in celebration of his 88th birthday.

Come on down!

Arrangements for singer, Judi Silvano

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Anita is happy to announce that she has been hired to write two arrangements for singer, Judi Silvano, to be performed with Thurman Barker's Jazz Combo at Bard College in December 2009.

Judi and I are very happy to finally have the chance to work together and are looking forward to further collaboration down the road.

Approved for Publishing!

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Today I received the exciting news that three of my arrangements have been approved for publication by UNC Jazz Press (University of Northern Colorado). They are Jobim's Sabia (a tenor feature), the classic ballad, Don't Explain (featuring either mezzo soprano voice or alto sax) and my father's 24-bar blues in 3/4, Dig It, the title track from his recording with Lee Konitz. This arrangement offers solos for trumpet, tenor and alto.

The charts will be published pending approval by the respective copyright owners.