A personal long term project turns into a regional event and utilizes spaces not normally associated with classical music
Tampa FL, April 21, 2014 – When Stephen P Brown began his quest to compose 150 pieces of new music by his 50th birthday, he was not prepared for a regional performing and visual arts festival to be born and present his compositions in the most unusual of spaces – a car dealership.
“I’m very happy to be sharing live classical music with people in a venue that mirrors my all-encompassing approach towards people enjoying and benefitting from a great experience: the ultimate concert management machine, in other words,” Brown said with a dry sense of humor. John Crapper, social media and special events coordinator at Ferman BMW, reiterates it is a good partnership: “Ferman BMW is excited to partner with someone that engages people with professionalism, quality, and high value, and I’m thrilled we are hosting one of Stephen’s concerts in our new building,” he said.
Brown is on a mission to share live classical music with those who may not normally be exposed to it, and jumped at the chance to do so in such a bright, cheerful and fresh environment. His motto on www.stephenpbrown.com is “There’s more to music than music.”
Highlights of the concert on Sunday, May 25th at 3pm include
- 5 of Brown’s new chamber music instrumental compositions
- World Premiere of his Concerto for Bass Clarinet and Strings with guest soloist Calvin Falwell of Sarasota Opera Orchestra and USF Music Department
- Appearance by Judy Kang, the onstage solo violinist in Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tours
- Early bird ticket discounts and an exclusive VIP Founder’s Reception
Details are available at www.FestivalOfPsalms.com
At the end of 2012 Brown’s application for another higher education degree was rejected so he set himself the challenge of improving his composition skills even further by composing one piece of music for each of the Psalms of the Bible by the time he turns 50 years old in 2020. It is a grueling schedule with a new piece being produced every two and a half weeks. Although some of the pieces Brown composed during 2013 have been performed in Ohio, New Jersey and the UK, he has yet to experience them himself and decided to organize a local concert.
But the task of combining instrumental and choral works proved difficult so one concert became two, and as guest artists are traveling far and wide to work with Brown, other music and social opportunities became available and all these related events became collectively known as the Festival of Psalms.
Other events in this first year include:
- The “Grand Grape Juice Finale” chamber choir concert at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Clearwater on Memorial Monday, May 26th at 3pm featuring many of Brown’s new choral works,
- A solo performance by Judy Kang of her own music at St. Petersburg’s The Venture Compound on Thursday, May 23rd at 9pm featuring works from Judy’s self-titled CD,
- A social gathering at Brighthouse Field to watch a college baseball game on Friday, May 24th at 6pm, just for fun
Brown wants future Festivals to include events in the eight counties surrounding Tampa Bay, and consist of dance, drama and visual arts that are somehow inspired by the Psalms. Local performers are invited to submit events via www.FestivalOfPsalms.com for consideration. He also wants to collaborate with world class performers and artists from all over the world and begins how he means to continue: this year includes Canadian violinist Judy Kang, and plans are already underway to have the UK’s Rochester Cathedral Choir participate in the 2015 Festival.
Event details:
The Founder’s Concert “Stephen P Brown & Friends”
Sunday, May 25th 3pm
Ferman BMW, 31480 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Tickets: General Admission $45. Early Bird and Group discounts available. Limited VIP Reception tickets also available. www.FestivalOfPsalms.com
About Stephen P Brown
Two-time Global Music Awards Winner, British American Conductor Composer Stephen P Brown has shared his zeal for live music for over 30 years in concert halls, colleges, schools, community centers, nursing homes and churches throughout the USA, UK, Europe and Africa, and in 2013 was ranked #2 in the Reverbnation USA Classical Music Charts and in the top 0.03% of 3 million musicians in all genres globally. Maestro Brown is a deeply adventurous and creative impresario who founded the Medway Chamber Orchestra, numerous percussion ensembles, Sunfonia and the live music DIY production training program Concert Wizards. He is currently Principal Conductor at the Patel Conservatory and Conductor of the Clearwater Chorus. As a Composer he has embarked on a #PsalmQuest to write 150 new pieces of music by his 50th birthday, and as a Conductor he is known for transforming ensembles and captivating audiences: “It’s almost as if the music is a tangible medium he is sculpting,” said Kathleen Haft, a musician who attends Maestro Brown’s concerts at every opportunity. “He has grace, poise, charm and humor.”
About The Festival of Psalms
Tampa Bay region’s first regional performing and visual arts collection of events incorporating music, dance, drama, art and fashion. Locally produced events take place over Memorial Day weekend in the eight counties surrounding Tampa Bay, with a handful of centrally-coordinated presentations by national and international organizations. Founded by British American Conductor Composer Stephen P Brown, the Festival is coordinated by 6e Concerts, begins in 2014, and will terminate in 2020.
