About Me

Who are you?

I’m Liam Brown, a pianist, teacher and composer. I live in South Broad Ripple in Indianapolis, IN with my wife Elizabeth. I grew up outside of Milwaukee, WI. I spent four years in St. Louis, MO where I went to undergrad. I came to Indianapolis for my master’s degree at Butler University.

How long have you played piano?

I started taking piano lessons when I was 9 years old. My parents tell me that I came home from school one day asking to learn piano – we didn’t even have a piano in our home! Fortunately, my parents have always been supportive of my music-making. They purchased a keyboard and a few years later we upgraded to an upright acoustic. I’ve always enjoyed making and listening to music, but I really fell in love with classical music when I was in high school. I’ve been practicing and studying seriously ever since.

Tell me about your performances.

As a student at Saint Louis University and Butler University, I have had ample opportunities to perform as a soloist and with other musicians. Recently, in the 2023-2024 academic year, I appeared in two chamber ensembles and gave a solo recital. Pieces I performed include Pictures at an Exhibition, Credo for chorus and piano and “Troubled Water” (both by Margaret Bonds), and Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor. In 2022 I performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 1 in a piano concerto recital at Butler University. As an undergraduate student in St. Louis I gave solo junior and senior recitals, as well as frequent performances with chamber ensembles and a piano ensemble.

And you compose?

Yes, I do! I started composing over the pandemic and have been fortunate enough to take composition lessons during my time at Butler. Many of my compositions were written with Catholic liturgy in mind. My first complete piece was a mass setting and I take pride in a number of Taize style pieces. I also have some pieces for piano, unrelated to liturgy. You can see some of my compositions here.

How much do you practice?

On a normal day, at least 1-2 hours. Some days I spend 4+ hours a day just practicing solo music. During graduate school, between performing and collaborating, I regularly spent 6+ hours at the piano in one day. It sounds overwhelming if you’re not in the habit of practicing, but I built up endurance and good technique over time.

Who are your favorite composers and what are some of your favorite pieces?

Oh my, such a difficult question to answer because there are so many options! My first love for classical music came from Beethoven and Chopin. If you’re new to classical music, it’s a great place to start. Chopin’s music is so melodic, poetic and approachable. Beethoven’s is passionate, logical and profound. More recently I’ve taken enjoyment in the Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz and the American composer Margaret Bonds.

Besides music, what hobbies do you enjoy?

I’m an avid chess player. I do lots of chess puzzles, endgame studies and opening studies. I even follow professional games the way most people follow sports. I’m kind of obsessed. I also love cooking, reading, going for walks outside, and spending lots of time with my beautiful wife.