New Texas Symphony Orchestra ...The Symphony For the Rest of Us!

Kathryn D. Brownour director

Kathryn D. Brown (Cathy) is the Founding Music Director of The New Texas Symphony Orchestra. She is the long-time Director of Orchestra at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ and is on the music faculty at Cedar Valley College, where she was recently presented the award for Excellence in Teaching for Adjunct Faculty. In addition, Brown is in the dissertation stage of work toward her doctorate in music education at Boston University, where she maintains a specific interest in community music and what motivates people to continue organized musical activities into adulthood. Ms. Brown has a rich background in multiple conducting scenarios and has been a longtime contributor to the Dallas area instrumental and vocal communities.

Brown holds a Master of Music in Music Education and a Performance Certificate in Orchestral Conducting from The University of Texas at Arlington, where she studied conducting with Dr. Sergio Espinosa. She received her Bachelor in Music Education from Angelo State University where she studied conducting and voice with Paula Homer, currently the Director of Opera at The University of North Texas. Brown has honed her conducting through additional study of noted maestros and coaching sessions with many distinguished conductors including Kate Tamarkin, Donald Portnoy, Henry Charles Smith, and William LaRue Jones.

Previous professional conducting experiences in the Dallas area include Artistic Director for The Women's Chorus of Dallas, Assistant Conductor of The University of Texas at Arlington Symphony Orchestra, Graduate Teaching Assistant for the UTA String Division, and Artistic Director and Conductor of the Oak Lawn Band. Conducting appearances feature national events in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Washington D.C., including the the 1992 Presidential Inaugural and the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.

Brown is active as a clinician and adjudicator in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and holds memberships with The Conductors Guild and Texas Music Educators Association. She is also a member of The College Music Society, and Sigma Alpha Iota, professional music fraternity for women. She is honored by Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society, and is listed in Who's Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities.