Rewinding back to the youthful years of middle school, a young student unknowingly takes his first steps towards his high school musical career with the sound of a single note.
This CMR junior has come a long way since his middle grade years. Today, he is a current performer in Rustler Band, the Russtones , The Great Falls Community Band, the Great Falls Youth Orchestra, the Rustler pep band, and the Great Falls Chamber groups. Looking back at the person he once was without his hobby of music is unrecognizable to who he has become. However, those years of curiosity are what brought his talents to the light, all starting with the encouragement from his sixth and seventh grade teachers.
“Painter – – and especially Kellogg really sparked the light in me,” Scotlen Brown said.
Initially Brown’s journey into music was sparked by his mom, who insisted he pick an instrument to focus on. He started with the flute in fourth grade, and eventually the clarinet in 5th. However, his musical path took an unexpected turn when his 6th-grade teacher, Kara Painter, suggested he try the bassoon. Brown had always been most attracted to deeper, more resonant notes similar to the tuba, he said. Making the pair between him and the new instrument a practical match. Little did Painter know she was setting him on his path to the future. By the end of 7th grade, under the guidance of mentor Russell Kellogg, his dedication and passion for music ignited, marking the true beginning of his connection to his new and beloved instrument: the bassoon.
“What can I say, I fell in love,” he said.
Practicing after school for hours, Brown’s dedication was evident and he only continued to improve. For his 8th grade christmas he received personal bassoon lessons with Dorian Antipa, the second best bassoon player in the state, who also holds a doctorate in bassoon performance. Brown still takes classes with him to this day. His connections only grew from there. Eventually meeting Derek Binesh, at a CMR wind quintet performance, Brown was shown a whole new world of opportunity. Not only did Derek teach bassoon and contrabassoon at Montana State University, but he told him that he would give him a scholarship to allow him to play contrabassoon if he went to his school. These opportunities and goals to play his instrument past highschool motivated him even more to play his hardest in all of his music camps, practice hours, and performances. It all led to his most prideful accomplishment during his sophomore year.
“Getting a thumbs up from Julie has probably been my greatest achievement,” Brown said.
During his performance at All Stars 2023, Brown played alongside Julie Giroux, a composer of some of the most complicated bassoon parts in musical pieces. After their performance, which included one of these advanced pieces, Giroux turned around, mid-concert, to praise Brown for his playing with a thumbs up. Although recognition and admiration for his skill brings a lot of pride, motivation, and joy to his hobby, the people that you’re surrounded with is what brings the true enjoyment, Brown said.
“Playing with other people is the best thing about it,” he said.
Being a member of several music groups is no easy task, and the amount of hours and dedication to practice time has had to become a strict aspect to Brown’s daily routine. Despite the challenges, such as making time for all the musical groups, Brown said it’s worth it in the end because the better you are, the more fun the programs become. It’s also worth it for the people.
Through everyone you meet, connect, and bond with on stage is what truly makes the experience worthwhile. Not to mention the gain of lifelong musical ability to play instruments, he said. Brown currently can play nine instruments, including bassoon, contrabassoon, almost every form of saxophone, flute, clarinet, and recorder. None of it would have been possible without the hard work and commitment he has put in throughout the past few years.
“I’m not going to lie. It’s a grind. But once you put in the work it becomes really fun.”
