European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 20, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Daily Magazine Melvin Brown tuned in to Frankfurt choir by Janet Howells Tierney stall writer one Hundred twen1y pairs of eyes Hanson his every move with a Sharp wave of disarm the sopranos High notes join the deep ass tones As the voices mingle his upper Bod is in constant motion beating out the Tempo of the music. Melvin Brown has directed the German american Community choir in Frankfurt West Germany for live years during weekly rehearsals his lilting voice Calls out first in English and then in German. Look at me i count Lor you Brown says when a Section of singers has trouble with a musical passage each Section of a piece is gone Over dozens of times until the sound meets the director 5 approval. He s l a i and precise i to sighs and yells but that when Mil of us so says Esther Rit Lon. An Alto Whon it 1 supposed 10 be Sweet he is Sweet i of in i tical training Tii Nyht drown that the hut run i.1 of Hir performers Jit a. Important of i Wii sin Juu " i hey need to Leei at Easo a a w a come to have a positive attitude. So along with the rehearsals we get logo her to have Lun he says Brown arranges retreats or the entire choir twice a year and encourages Good relations bet Ween the More transient americans and the German members. Everyone in the group wears name tags during rehearsals to function belter As an ensemble when we have Brown says. There s Strong loyally and everyone takes his part in the choir seriously. Although the group consists primarily of Amateur vocalists Brown s demands Lor perfection Are normally Mot As evidenced by audience reactions each year tickets to the choir s six performances of the singing Christmas tree Are sold out. Of her productions Are met with equal enthusiasm. We be been Able to accomplish remarkable things Lor an Amateur Brown says. Brown has always known now to put on a show. He began his career in Southern California where he studied to to a pianist. He was considered Lalen led but Lazy i could t practice six hours a Day he says recalling How he gave up the piano and began singing alter years of voice training which included time at the Manhattan school of Aisic and the manner College of music in new York City the Tenor studied live years with a member of the metropolitan opera in 1961 Brown War Ink the army arid spent the Nel i y a a at f 01 b1 is the a i h i tin and work a David by Arthur Honegger sunday Al 7 30 in the arte oper s Mower Taal tickets Cost tron 15 Marks to 25 Marks and Are available at the Frankfurt Central Cna Poi at tha Sandrock octet Wmk Al Iho Beberw of the Haupt Wache subway station of at the alte open Box of
