Joni Mabry Brown, Assistant Conductor
Joni Mabby Brown received her Bachelor's of Music Education degree from Western Carolina University in 1976 and her Master's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1981. She taught at T.C. Roberson High School in Skyland, North Carolina and at Gibbes Middle School in Columbia, South Carolina before taking a position at Bates Middle School in Sumter, South Carolina. Mrs. Brown directed the award winning Bates Middle School band from 1981 until her retirement in 2010.
Mrs. Brown served on the founding committee for organization of the Sumter Community Concert Band in 1982 and served as Assistant Conductor for two years before being appointed as Conductor from 1984 to 1988. Mrs. Brown was chosen by the Bates Middle School faculty as Teacher of the Year in 1987 and was named the Teacher of the Year for Sumter District 17 in 1996-97. She is a recipient of the ASBDA Stanbury Award, the Scroll of Excellence Award given by the Women Band Directors International Association, the Outstanding Bandmaster Award given by Phi Beta Mu, and the Citation of Excellence given by the National Band Association. Other professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, South Carolina Music Educators Association, National Band Association and Women Band Directors International. She is a 2013 inductee into the South Carolina Band Directors Hall of Fame. She teaches clarinet privately and performs with both the Palmetto Concert Band and the Sumter Community Concert Band.
She currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church where she directs the Chancel Choir, Adult Handbells, Youth Handbells and instrumental groups.
Mrs. Brown is married to David R Brown. They have two rescue dogs, Toby Joe and Sasha.
Mrs. Brown served on the founding committee for organization of the Sumter Community Concert Band in 1982 and served as Assistant Conductor for two years before being appointed as Conductor from 1984 to 1988. Mrs. Brown was chosen by the Bates Middle School faculty as Teacher of the Year in 1987 and was named the Teacher of the Year for Sumter District 17 in 1996-97. She is a recipient of the ASBDA Stanbury Award, the Scroll of Excellence Award given by the Women Band Directors International Association, the Outstanding Bandmaster Award given by Phi Beta Mu, and the Citation of Excellence given by the National Band Association. Other professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, South Carolina Music Educators Association, National Band Association and Women Band Directors International. She is a 2013 inductee into the South Carolina Band Directors Hall of Fame. She teaches clarinet privately and performs with both the Palmetto Concert Band and the Sumter Community Concert Band.
She currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church where she directs the Chancel Choir, Adult Handbells, Youth Handbells and instrumental groups.
Mrs. Brown is married to David R Brown. They have two rescue dogs, Toby Joe and Sasha.
