Applied Artist
M.M., New England Conservatory
Office: 815-753-8013
E-mail: jbrownxyz@comcast.net
James Russell Brown (Jim) holds degrees from Oberlin (B.M.) and New England Conservatory (M.M.) in organ performance. His principal teachers have included Yuko Hayashi, David Boe, and William Porter (organ), and Lisa Goode Crawford, William Porter, and Lenora McCroskey (harpsichord). As a performer, he has been presented in recital at National Cathedral, Harvard University, The University of Vermont, The University of Connecticut, Stetson University, and the Methuen Summer Organ Series, among others. In the Chicago area, he has appeared with The City Musick, Chicago Baroque Ensemble, His Majestie’s Clerkes, and Bach Week in Evanston, and has performed solo recitals at Holy Name Cathedral, St. James Cathedral, Fourth Presbyterian Church, St. Chrysostom’s Church, St. Luke’s Church (Evanston), and the Presbyterian Homes (Evanston).
Mr. Brown is the Director of the Organ and Early Music Program at the Music Institute of Chicago where he also teaches organ and harpsichord. The Evanston campus is the home of a magnificent 1914 E.M. Skinner organ, which recently received a complete historic restoration under his leadership. Since 1985 he has served as Organist and Director of Music for St. Giles Episcopal Church, Northbrook, organ by Hellmuth Wolff, 1993. In Massachusetts, he was on the faculty of Bradford College, Regis College, and Shady Hill School, and served as summer organist and director for The Memorial Church, Harvard University.
He is a member of the boards of the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Organ Historical Society. Previously he was on the board of the renowned Chicago a cappella choir, His Majestie’s Clerkes, now known as Bella Voce.