Jacobs School of Music presents Centennial Award to alumna soprano Angela Brown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music presented its Centennial Award to alumna Angela Brown on Nov. 17 in Indianapolis. The award, which was established in 2021 to commemorate the school’s 100th year, acknowledges those who have made a meaningful contribution to the advancement of music education, performance, advocacy and/or philanthropy.

Brown personifies the ideal soprano. With captivating star power, she unites opera, pops and gospel in one sensational voice. Her highly acclaimed 2004 Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of “Aida” catapulted her onto the world’s most prestigious opera and symphonic stages, with banner headlines and features in some of the country’s biggest media outlets, including The New York Times, “CBS Weekend News” and CNN.

A featured artist on the two-time Grammy Award-winning recording “Ask Your Mama,” Brown continues to conquer audiences worldwide, commanding leading opera and symphonic stages across six continents.

“The indomitable Angela Brown is simply a force of nature,” said Abra Bush, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean. “Not just a phenomenal operatic talent, she is also a goodwill ambassador and celebrated role model for the next generation of multicultural singers, championing diversity in all aspects of the arts, including audiences.”

Brown has starred in several world premieres, including “A Woman’s Life” by Richard Danielpour and Maya Angelou, as Addie in “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” by Daniel Schnyder and Bridgette Wimberly, and as Cilla in “Margaret Garner” by Richard Danielpour and Toni Morrison.

She will continue her string of premieres on Feb. 10, 2024, as the soprano soloist for Nkeiru Okoye’s “When the Caged Bird Sings” at the University of Michigan. The work for orchestra, four soloists, choir and narrator is inspired by the life of Angelou.

On March 22, Brown will premiere Bill Banfield’s Symphony No. 14 for soprano and orchestra with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.

Brown is the founder of Morning Brown, Inc., her nonprofit dedicated to bringing cultural experiences and awareness to historically excluded communities and audiences. The success of her signature show, “Opera … from a Sistah’s Point of View,” provided the momentum and cornerstone for an array of outreach and educational programs that have been presented in 20 U.S. states under the auspices of Morning Brown. From orchestras and opera companies to libraries, schools and music clubs, the programs have reached thousands of elementary, secondary and university students.

She is featured in the 2022 Marian Anderson documentary “The Whole World in Her Hands” on PBS’s “American Masters” and the 2021 Anderson documentary “Voice of Freedom” on PBS’s “American Experience.” In 2020, Brown launched a podcast with Classical Music Indy and co-host Joshua Thompson titled “Melanated Moments in Classical Music.” The first season landed in the top 10% of all podcasts for listeners and won Best Black Music Podcast of 2020.

From Indiana University, Brown received the African American Arts Institute’s inaugural Herman C. Hudson Alumni Award and the IU Distinguished Alumni Service Award. She is also a recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award from the Governor of Indiana and a Spirit of the Prairie Award from Conner Prairie in Indiana, among numerous other honors.

Read a Q&A with Brown.