The role of musical conductor requires a high level of physical conditioning. The maestro must energetically direct an orchestra and actors with nothing more than a skinny stick.
With the 71st annual Tony Awards airing Sunday, we are reminded of musical prodigy Dr. Joyce Brown, who went on to become Broadway’s first African-American female musical conductor of a show beginning its opening night.
The production was “Purlie,” which debuted in 1970, explored the life of traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson set in the Jim Crow era. The play was nominated for Tony’s Best Musical award that year. This was quite the feat for Brown, as conducting was and remains a highly male-dominated profession.
When asked how she felt about making history with “Purlie,” Brown — who played piano, violin, cello, trumpet, saxophone and organ — told the International Musician Magazine in 1970, “I would have gotten the job anyhow because the competency is there.” She also declared in the New York Daily News in ’70: “I’m a member of [the American Federation of Musicians] Local 802 [Union] in good standing. I’ve worked hard. And I’m reliable. I was picked for the job.”
7 thoughts on “Raising the Baton: How Dr. Joyce Brown Became a Pioneering Broadway Maestra”
Wonderful story about a great and important figure in music!
Ms. Wilkerson, Thank you so much for writing this. When I was a child, my mother took me to see “Purlie,” and I was transfixed by the play and by Ms. Brown’s back as she conducted the orchestra.
Outstanding article! Well written. This story should gain and retain a first mention when all of the unearthed “Black History” is unfurled during the month of February. Punctuated with the tidbits to tie it all together, Ms. Wilkerson taught a music appreciation course lesson. This is quite significant! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’d Just completed High School in 1973– when
Presented w- Tickets to see ‘Purlie’ @ the National Theatre in Washington, DC. I was ‘Totally’ Thrilled to attend – Especially Noticing
the ‘Female Orchestra’ Director- of whom I would Believe was Dr. Joyce Brown.
🎶🙌🏾 ‘Bravo— Maestra’🙌🏾🎶
Right now I’m sitting here listening to a singer doing I Got Love from the Broadway show Purlie. It’s a celebration of Blacks on Broadway on PBS. I can’t believe it came on as I’m reading this article. Purlie was my first Broadway show. It was also my first flight and first trip to New York. I was in the third row where I could see right into the orchestra pit. I was absolutely mesmerized by Joyce Brown. I found her just as fascinating as the actors on stage. Since then, I have seen many Broadway shows, but none as thrilling as Purlie. I have often wondered what happened to her and this PBS special is what led me to Google her. I am saddened to know that she is one of our unsung heroes, never received her due. I am saddened still that I didn’t try to contact her to tell her how she affected a young girl who had never seen a Broadway show.
Thank you Ms. Wilkerson. I’ve been doing some extensive research on Diahann Carroll and was watching a video when Ms. Carroll mentioned Joyce Brown, so I paused the video and gooogled Ms. Brown and came across this article. Unfortunately I had no idea of who she was but after reading this article I promised myself to find out more of this extraordinary Lady whose talent is a history of Broadway and other entertainment industries. Thank you again for the knowledge that needs to be shared with the world.
Wonderful story about a great and important figure in music!
Ms. Wilkerson, Thank you so much for writing this. When I was a child, my mother took me to see “Purlie,” and I was transfixed by the play and by Ms. Brown’s back as she conducted the orchestra.
She paved the way for many female musicians!
Outstanding article! Well written. This story should gain and retain a first mention when all of the unearthed “Black History” is unfurled during the month of February. Punctuated with the tidbits to tie it all together, Ms. Wilkerson taught a music appreciation course lesson. This is quite significant! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’d Just completed High School in 1973– when
Presented w- Tickets to see ‘Purlie’ @ the National Theatre in Washington, DC. I was ‘Totally’ Thrilled to attend – Especially Noticing
the ‘Female Orchestra’ Director- of whom I would Believe was Dr. Joyce Brown.
🎶🙌🏾 ‘Bravo— Maestra’🙌🏾🎶
Right now I’m sitting here listening to a singer doing I Got Love from the Broadway show Purlie. It’s a celebration of Blacks on Broadway on PBS. I can’t believe it came on as I’m reading this article. Purlie was my first Broadway show. It was also my first flight and first trip to New York. I was in the third row where I could see right into the orchestra pit. I was absolutely mesmerized by Joyce Brown. I found her just as fascinating as the actors on stage. Since then, I have seen many Broadway shows, but none as thrilling as Purlie. I have often wondered what happened to her and this PBS special is what led me to Google her. I am saddened to know that she is one of our unsung heroes, never received her due. I am saddened still that I didn’t try to contact her to tell her how she affected a young girl who had never seen a Broadway show.
Thank you Ms. Wilkerson. I’ve been doing some extensive research on Diahann Carroll and was watching a video when Ms. Carroll mentioned Joyce Brown, so I paused the video and gooogled Ms. Brown and came across this article. Unfortunately I had no idea of who she was but after reading this article I promised myself to find out more of this extraordinary Lady whose talent is a history of Broadway and other entertainment industries. Thank you again for the knowledge that needs to be shared with the world.