A. Ross Brown

Ross Brown has been closely associated with the Conservatory and the MCPA Association for well over fifty years.  His contributions to both organizations have been immense.  His initial connection with the Conservatory was probably when he became the son-in-law of the then Director, Ifan Williams, Sr.  Working hand-in-hand with Margaretta, Ross has been active in Conservatory affairs ever since.

In 1973, Ross joined the Board of Governors, becoming Chair two years later, a position he was to hold for fifteen momentous years.

During his years as Board Chair, Ross had to deal with three moves of the Conservatory, changing Conservatory homes being a perennial problem during the years when the institution didn’t own its property: in the 55 years between the selling of its original home on Barrington Street and moving to Chebucto Road, the Conservatory moved eight times—an average of once every 6.8 years.  One can only imagine the stresses on everyone of such repeated moves.

When Ross joined the Board, the Conservatory was housed in the Philae Temple on College Street.  In the mid-1970s, Dr. Owen Carrigan, the President of Saint Mary’s University, approached SMU graduate Ross to inquire whether the Conservatory might be interested in affiliating with the university.  [Some of you will remember that the Conservatory had been associated with Dalhousie from 1889 to 1962, which awarded Licentiates and Bachelor of Music degrees for study completed at the Conservatory.  That connection ended when Dal began to slowly develop its own music programme.]  President Carrigan proposed that an association be established between Saint Mary’s and the Conservatory, suggesting that the university might also be able to house the music school on its campus.  Carrigan subsequently offered the use of The Oaks, the former home of the Honourable Robert Stanfield.  The Conservatory was to remain at Saint Mary’s for the next eight years although, with access to only 9 rooms, space was at a premium.  The lack of a recital hall was also problematic for a performance-based organization.

In 1985 Saint Mary’s, now under a new president, gave notice that it required The Oaks for its own purposes, and Ross was once again forced to arrange new accommodations and to supervise yet another move—this time to Sacred Heart School on Spring Garden Road.  The Association, by the way, contributed significantly to the cost of the move.

The following year, the Conservatory underwent one of its periodic financial crises, with $100,000 being required immediately if the institution was to remain open.  Lacking collateral (remember that the Conservatory did not own its building at the time), the Royal Bank refused to provide a loan unless individuals personally agreed to be responsible should it not be repaid.  Mr. Brown and another Board member agreed to this demand.  Luckily, finances improved, and the loan was repaid. 

A more positive highlight of Ross’s tenure as Board Chair was the 100th anniversary of the Conservatory in 1987, which involved a series of events in which Ross was deeply involved.  One important result of that anniversary year was the printing of a substantial pamphlet outlining the history of the Conservatory, the research and writing for which was largely done by Ross, although someone else took credit.   Ross remains the individual most knowledgeable about the institution’s history; his prodigious memory and fascination with the ups and downs of the Conservatory over the past 130+ years are an enormously valuable resource for any historical discussion.

Affable and gregarious as Ross Brown is, he is not someone who hides from difficult situations.  Near the end of his fifteen years as Chair, the Conservatory was embroiled in turmoil, centering on its Director. It was largely left to Ross to deal with a very difficult situation.

One could continue to describe the many ways in which Ross has contributed, but his largely behind-the-scenes work on behalf of the Association can’t be ignored.  His wife, Margaretta, has been active in the Association for many decades and, with her, Ross has been involved in organizing numerous dinners, luncheons, fund-raisers, and many other activities—including this one.

It would be difficult to imagine anyone more deserving than Mr. Ross Brown of being named an Honorary Life Member of the MCPA Association.  Ross is unequaled in the duration, range, and depth of his involvement with both the Conservatory and the MCPA Association.  Of whom else can one say that that the very continued existence of the Conservatory was the result of actions he took?

Please join with me in acknowledging our newest honouree, Mr. A. Ross Brown.

G.P. Brooks, Ph.D.
MCPA Association Archivist
May 4, 2019