"We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training." - Archilochus

Private instruction can be a vital ingredient in the success you want to achieve as a musician. While three to five hours per week of music instruction in a bandroom CAN allow a student to achieve mastery on the valuable, expensive instrument you have invested in, guided, individual instruction makes an enormous difference in achieving success. Research shows that individual instruction that focuses on HOW to practice and setting up a recurring system achieves the most success. This is the method I teach. Paraphrased, we do not rise to our goals, we fall to our systems. Together, we will find the system that works for you.

Larry Brown is a veteran teacher and performer. Mr. Brown recently retired from a 30 year career in Gordon County, Georgia where he taught Middle and High school band. Throughout those years, he was able to focus on all levels of instruction (6th - 12th), and taught individual students as well as the concert bands, wind ensembles, jazz bands, marching bands, and small ensembles at Calhoun High School, Calhoun Middle School, Gordon Central High School, and Ashworth Middle School. 

While obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Mr. Brown began teaching privately to local Chattanooga area students, and performing in the area. A frequent soloist and section leader of the Marching Mocs, Mr. Brown was also the “screaming” lead trumpet player for Tony D’Andrea’s Jazz Band I for many years, traveling on several statewide tours of Tennessee, and played first trumpet in the UTC concert band and wind ensemble. Mr. Brown also played with the Chattanooga Symphony Brass Quintet, as well as many local church cantatas, weddings, and other events. 

In 1996 Mr. Brown began teaching and performing in the North West Georgia area. His private studio, while smaller, was quite successful. The majority of his private students made ensembles such as, The GMEA All-State Band, The GMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble, The GMEA District Seven Honor Band, The GMEA District Seven Honors Jazz Ensemble, and The Gordon County Honor Band. Several achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance or Education and have gone on to teaching and performing careers. Mr. Brown had the honor of performing with The Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble, The Etowah Jazz Society, The Usual Suspects, The Chamber Players of the South, The Northwest Georgia Winds, The Gordon County Community Band, as well as various other small performance opportunities such as weddings, church events, rock and R&B groups, and the absolute honor of playing Taps for several of our Armed Service members. 

“Larry Brown is a wonderful instructor that I recommend for anyone looking to either start their journey as a musician or advance their existing skills to the next level. Larry’s approach of developing his students both as a person and a musician helped to establish my confidence as a performer. Under his guidance, I obtained a music scholarship at the University of Georgia, where I was a soloist in the Redcoat Marching Band, principal of the Wind Ensemble, and soloist in the University Jazz Band.  Years later, I still utilize the skills and training that Larry provided, and currently perform with the New Hampshire Philharmonic, Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, and North End Marching Band.” — Alex Rogers, Esq.; BA Music Performance, University of Georgia; JD, New England Law

“Mr. Brown didn’t just teach me how to play the trumpet, he showed me what it meant to be a music educator. His encouragement and belief in me helped shape the musician, teacher, and person I am today.” — Will Johnson, Former Student, B.M.Ed., Music Education — Shorter University, M.M.Ed., Music Education — University of Georgia

While Mr. Brown is a trumpet player, he is offering lessons to anyone in their first three years of instruction on ANY woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. With 26+ years of classroom beginning band experience, Mr. Brown can confidently help beginning and intermediate players greatly improve their playing regardless of their instrument. 

"Music betters our lives and performing it adds cognitive structure we gain in few other places. I hope you will consider allowing me to guide you on a journey to places and experiences that are both expected, and unexpected. I’ve been using music to help improve the lives of students and their families for more than three decades. Please allow me to bring that to you and your family."  — Larry Brown