Fun Facts

What do you like most about your field?

Choral music allows us to combine a number of disciplines (history, literature, etc.) while also challenging us to strive for precision and excellence. We are able to cultivate and share our musical gifts to glorify God.

Why did you enter the teaching profession?

I believe it is my calling to teach and share my musical gifts.

What is a favorite moment of working with students at Ouachita?

I loved going on tour with the Ouachita Singers both in the Fall and Spring of my first year. It allowed us have several opportunities to perform the same music and do so at a very high artistic level. It also allowed me to meet future tigers! I loved every minute of it!

What is your go-to TV show or movie?

My go-to TV show is The West Wing. I watch it over and over and over. I love just about any show or movie about U.S. presidents.

If you were anything other than a professor, what would you be and why?

I would be a stay at home dad to my daughter and/or a concert organist! :)

What is your favorite place on campus and why?

I love McBeth Recital Hall. It is such a beautiful space to make music. The acoustics are phenomenal, and I love seeing our students perform in that space.

Areas of Expertise

Featured Courses Taught:

• Ouachita Singers
• Choral Literature and Arranging
• Choral Conducting
• Concert Choir
• Secondary Choral Methods
• Voice

Featured Publications:

• Doctoral Dissertation titled "A Conductor's Guide to the Choral Music of Joshua Rist"
• The Choral Singer Handbook (Published Text) 2022
• Choral Methods: A Workbook (Published Text) 2020

Involvement

• National Association for Music Education
• Arkansas Music Educator Association
• Arkansas Choral Directors Associations (ArkCDA and ARACDA)
• American Choral Directors Association
• Chorus America
• National Association of Teachers of Singing
• National Collegiate Choral Organization
• Performing Arts Medicine Association
• Texas Music Adjudicators Association(Active Member)
• Texas Choral Directors Association

Artist Bio

Joshua R. Brown serves as Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities and Chair of Music Education at Ouachita Baptist University where he teaches courses in choral music, conducting, music education, and voice. The Ouachita choral ensembles enjoy a long tradition of excellence; singers from OBU have recently performed at Holidays at the Capitol, Carnegie Hall, and the Arkansas All-State Conference.  Dr. Brown has been invited to present at conferences in Arkansas, Wyoming, Idaho, and Texas.

Prior to his appointment at Ouachita, Dr. Brown served as the Director of the University of North Texas Men’s Chorus. He also served as Artistic Director of the Coppell Community Chorale (2016-2019) and was Director of Choirs at Coppell High School (2012-2017) where his choirs were selected to perform at the White House (2014), Texas Music Educators Convention (2017), and Southwestern American Choral Directors Convention (2016). Previously, Dr. Brown was Director of Choirs at Abilene High School (2009-2012). He currently serves as Executive Director of Voces Pacis - a semi-professional choral organization in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. He has also served as an officer or committee member in Texas Music Education Association (TMEA) Regions 16, 20 and 31, and is regularly called upon to serve as a choral adjudicator, clinician, or accompanist.

As an advocate for church music, Dr. Brown is Music Director at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and has frequently served as a worship leader in Texas. Prior church appointments include St. Philip Presbyterian in Hurst (Director of Music), First Baptist Church Abilene (sabbatical replacement Worship Leader), First United Methodist Church Teague (Director of Music), Cockrell Hill Baptist Church Dallas (Minister of Music), First Baptist Church Duncanville (Worship Associate).

Brown holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting with a related field in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of North Texas, a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Baylor University, and a Bachelor of Church Music degree from Dallas Baptist University. While at Baylor, Brown was the graduate conductor of the Baylor A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers. In 2007, Brown was selected as one of eight National Graduate Semifinalists in the Choral Conducting Competition of the American Choral Directors Association. He has studied conducting with Dr. Jeffery Ames, Dr. Anton Armstrong, Dr. Donald Bailey, Professor Stephen Heyde, Dr. Allen Hightower, Dr. Stephen Holcomb, Dr. Eric Wilson, and voice with Dr. Susan Wyatt. His professional affiliations include ARKCDA, ARACDA, ACDA, TMAA, TMEA, TCDA, NCCO, and Chorus America. Dr. Brown and his wife Hillary are the proud parents of two girls - Myra and Ruth.