Jean Brown
Life Begins at Forty
by Charlie Todd
Friends and colleagues gathered at the Popinjay Hotel, in Rosebank on the evening of Sunday, 3rd February, 1991, to honour a milestone in the career of one of Scotland’s foremost accordion teachers – Jean Brown from Cambusnethan in Wishaw – because 1991 is Jean’s 40th teaching year.
The evening was organized as a surprise for Mrs Brown, whom it must be said has always strenuously avoided the limelight, by the ‘J.R. Brown School of Accordionists’ Parents Committee.
In his Introductory remarks, Mr Alistair Gillespie, himself a well-known teacher in the Biggar area and yes, you’ve guessed it, a former pupil, said that he was sure that Jean’s achievement was unique in Scotland and that he doubted that anyone without her professional, patient and encouraging attitude could even survive 40 years of teaching. He himself, he joked, has only 10 years professional teaching under his belt and already he’s losing the will to live!!
Mrs Brown was presented with some beautiful jewellery, flowers and cards to mark the occasion and a short reply was made on her behalf by son Ronnie.
Guest for the evening covered the whole spectrum – pupils, parents, former pupils, fellow teachers, ‘Rolston Accordions’ staff, family and friends, not forgetting John Anderson, the Chairman of Biggar Club and as he put it himself, “probably Mrs Brown’s only notable failure in all these years!!”
After an excellent meal, the dance music was provided by Morag Robertson’s Band which let the players amongst us have a night off and take to the dance floor for a change.
Over the years, pupils from the school have made a big impact, especially in the classical field with recently, for example, Una Bryson from Strathaven graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London on freebass chromatic accordion.
In the Scottish field, Tom Alexander (of Alexander Brothers fame) was one of the School’s earliest pupils (and incidentally, Jean remarks, a classical winner at Perth in those days) with Allan Smith and Ian and Alec Graham all active in the scene at present.
Thanks are therefore due to the hard working Parents’ Committee for putting the evening together and best wishes to Jean for many more happy years teaching.
Box and Fiddle
March 1991
The evening was organized as a surprise for Mrs Brown, whom it must be said has always strenuously avoided the limelight, by the ‘J.R. Brown School of Accordionists’ Parents Committee.
In his Introductory remarks, Mr Alistair Gillespie, himself a well-known teacher in the Biggar area and yes, you’ve guessed it, a former pupil, said that he was sure that Jean’s achievement was unique in Scotland and that he doubted that anyone without her professional, patient and encouraging attitude could even survive 40 years of teaching. He himself, he joked, has only 10 years professional teaching under his belt and already he’s losing the will to live!!
Mrs Brown was presented with some beautiful jewellery, flowers and cards to mark the occasion and a short reply was made on her behalf by son Ronnie.
Guest for the evening covered the whole spectrum – pupils, parents, former pupils, fellow teachers, ‘Rolston Accordions’ staff, family and friends, not forgetting John Anderson, the Chairman of Biggar Club and as he put it himself, “probably Mrs Brown’s only notable failure in all these years!!”
After an excellent meal, the dance music was provided by Morag Robertson’s Band which let the players amongst us have a night off and take to the dance floor for a change.
Over the years, pupils from the school have made a big impact, especially in the classical field with recently, for example, Una Bryson from Strathaven graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London on freebass chromatic accordion.
In the Scottish field, Tom Alexander (of Alexander Brothers fame) was one of the School’s earliest pupils (and incidentally, Jean remarks, a classical winner at Perth in those days) with Allan Smith and Ian and Alec Graham all active in the scene at present.
Thanks are therefore due to the hard working Parents’ Committee for putting the evening together and best wishes to Jean for many more happy years teaching.
Box and Fiddle
March 1991