1949 – 2021
Dennis Brain.
This webpage is dedicated to the memory of Dennis Brain and all he has done to contribute to the music community.
Memorial
Dennis Brain
Dennis was born in Temora and lived in Ardlethan until his family moved to Canberra when he was six. Here he showed a keen interest in music and was given piano lessons paid for by his grandparents.
In 1964 his family moved to Narrandera where he continued music lessons with Sister Chanell from the local convent and was also helped by Rose Ianno from Leeton. After moving back to Canberra, he furthered his musical education at the Canberra School of Music, studying with Alan Jenkins and William Herbert and gaining his diploma. He also gained his AMEB AMusA and LMusA diplomas during this time. Further voice development was undertaken with Eleanor Houston and Pat Davey.
In 1976, Dennis was awarded a scholarship to study music in Germany. This included two months at the Goethe Institute learning the German language at Schwabisch Hall in Bavaria and then Lieder at the Music Hochschule in Cologne with Professor Hecker.
At the completion of this scholarship, he returned to Canberra to resume his musical studies, teaching piano and voice and contributing in a number of ways to the Canberra musical scene. During this time, Dennis was also appointed as an AMEB examiner, later becoming an AMEB (NSW) Diploma examiner for many years for both piano and singing.
As a teacher of piano, voice, and musical coach he was always in high demand, teaching students from Preliminary to Licentiate, with an impressive number of Diploma recipients amongst his ACT students. Dennis had an extremely strong work ethic – he was never forced to practice and expected the same from his students.
The love of music he nurtured in those he taught, adjudicated and examined will ensure that Dennis’s memory is always with us.
Canberra accompanist and friend, Jenny Kain, and AMEB Federal and Diploma examiner and AMEB (NSW) Board member, Lyn Morgan, share their recollections of their friend and colleague.
Jenny Kain: “Dennis was an extremely talented musician and educator – in particular, his sight- singing abilities were astonishing. He did so much to enrich the music community in the ACT. He was always completely generous and non-competitive with his peers, offering his time and expertise whenever needed for workshops, masterclasses or at ACT Music Teachers’ Association events.”
Lyn Morgan: “I had a particularly close friendship with Dennis. We both began examining around 40 years ago and found ourselves scheduled to examine on a week-long tour to Newcastle. Dinner each evening and most lunchtimes were spent together and we became close friends. It was Dennis whom I called to take over a country tour of mine when the death of a close family member meant I had to return suddenly to Sydney, and when we were examining Diplomas in Canberra he was the real Sir Galahad, offering me his woollen scarf when I felt the extreme cold of a Canberra winter! Dennis was a great cook and host, and derived great pleasure from his garden, but above all, his deep love of music persisted throughout his life. He had a rich baritone voice and I recall spending many happy hours at musical soirees at his home. Dennis’s musical legacy can be seen in the vast numbers of successful voice and piano students he trained, and he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, dear friend.”
Gallery
Photos of Dennis
Click on the photo for details
AuDIO
Recordings of Dennis Playing
Exam Recital - Reel 1
Examination recital, part 1 of 2. (recorded under examination conditions)
Pianist:
Dennis Brain
Pieces:
Bach – 5th French Suite
Beethoven – Sonata Opus 101
Recording quality:
7½ I.P.S, full track
Exam Recital - Reel 2
Examination recital, part 1 of 2. (recorded under examination conditions)
Pianist:
Dennis Brain
Pieces:
Recording quality:
7½ I.P.S, full track
Bartok - Contrasts
Concert at Canberra School of Music.
(for Violin, Clarinet & Piano)
Piano: Dennis Brain
Clarinet: T.Stirzaker
Violin: B.Gilby
Piece: Bartok – Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet & Piano
Shell Aria Final
Copy of the Shell Aria Final
Pianist: Dennis Brain
Singer 1: ColinSlater-The Enemy of His Country
Andrea Chenier (Giordano)
Singer 2: Robert Wickham-O Isis und Osiris
The Magic Flute (Mozart)
Singer 2: Robert Wickham-La Vendetta
Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
Remembering Dennis
Friends and Colleagues Reflections
After graduation he made a career as a teacher of piano and voice, and his many successful students will testify regarding the soundness of his teaching, always with discipline and humour.
From his student days until his regretted death we remained close friends, and as long-suffering examiners for the Australian Music Examinations Board, we shared many hilarious experiences, as well as well-founded criticisms of the institution.
As an illustration of Dennis’s integrity, he made a point of keeping up with every syllabus change, requiring practice in his own time. Over many years his results were invariably high, even to the degree level.
It is to be hoped that younger teachers aspire to the same standard.
I miss him, both as a colleague and friend.”
Alan Jenkins
Michael Thornley (ex-student)
I wanted to pass on our sincerest condolences to you and the rest of Dennis’ family, from myself, my brother John and our father Joe.”
Paul Altin
“Dennis taught our whole family over the years, always with great skill and patience. He was also always there for our personal highs and lows, which he and the wonderful Bruce always helped us through.
Dennis’s musical mastery is well known, but his personal friendship and generosity towards us is what I remember most. Dinners at (mostly) his or (sometimes) our home, the Spring Garden, Masala Hut and many other places were always good fun.
Rest in peace Dennis. I still sometimes pop in to Gungahlin to pay my respects.”
Steven (Susan, Hayley and Phillip)
Jan & Tom Lin (parents of students)
Best wishes.”
Alan Ferguson
“My name is Amadeus – a student of Dennis from 2014 – 2019.
From the very beginning, Dennis was an exceptional piano teacher. When I first joined him, he welcomed me and made me feel comfortable right away. Being a student of Dennis was never easy. His meticulous attention to detail, and high expectations were difficult to meet, but I knew that he cared for me and wanted me to succeed. I always noticed that Dennis’ teaching style was unique. Maybe it was because he always managed to find the balance between hard work and fun, or perhaps it was because he’d reward me with a Lindt chocolate when I practised hard. When I think of Dennis, a few words immediately come to mind. Passionate, kind-hearted, strict, talented, and hardworking. These traits are what made him such a likeable and outstanding teacher. Dennis’ passion for music and for teaching his students was always evident, and I want to thank him for that. Through his dedication over the years, he taught me more than just music. He taught me to be hard working, resilient, and diligent. Without Dennis’ guidance, I would never have come so far in my musical journey – nor would I be the person I am today.
I will never forget the time we spent together.
May his legacy and memory live on.”
Amadeus