Discussion: Grace For Others Begins With Oneself
Having grace for your community is essential. But it begins with grace for oneself.
By Betsy Podsiadlo | 9/15/24
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“Grace abounds,” in the words of Vinroy D. Brown, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Capital Singers of Trenton, the Director of Music & Worship Arts at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church, and the Second Vice President and Director of Membership for the National Association of Negro Musicians Inc.
I had asked him what he’d say if he could go back and share advice with his early career self. This reminder of grace, of goodwill to yourself and others, saturates each bit of Vinroy’s artistic work. From the community choir to his musicological studies, this value is a hallmark of his work.
Vinroy credits his early interest in music to his musical family and growing up in the Black Church, citing that music has always been a central part of his life. Vinroy joined the middle school choir and continued this pursuit through high school when he also began taking conducting lessons. His high school choir teacher created an environment that allowed him to flourish, which when combined with his experience in the Black Church cultivated his interest in pursuing music further as a conductor.
After graduating from Westminster Choir College with a double major in Sacred Music and Music Education, Vinroy began his career as a professional music teacher.
“I knew I wanted to conduct. At that time, I thought that meant teaching K-12 choir in public schools,” Vinroy said.
While traveling from school to school teaching grades K-8, Vinroy decided to go back to school and enrolled in a seminary program at Regent University. Throughout a consistently busy schedule, adding work with the Westminster Jubilee Singers and the Capital Singers of Trenton, Vinroy continued to pursue his passion for music with a community focus.
“I’ve been able to create a life that I’m finding to be beautiful,” Vinroy said.
Vinroy’s work as a conductor led him to a deep interest in underrepresented composers, and he is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Musicology at Temple University. Within the music community, scholarly research and writing is often viewed as an all-or-nothing practice where the study of music itself takes precedence over creating and performing. Vinroy has found inspiration to bring his scholarship into his artistic practice, leaning into the deep study and understanding of the pieces he conducts.
“I’ve been able to maintain my own artistry because I’ve been able to tie what I do as a musicologist to my work as a conductor,” Vinroy said.
Vinroy pursues community through music, above all. His deep understanding of the history and significance of the music he conducts helps build strong connections between the people he works with and the greater community as a whole.
“When I’m able to create community, that’s when I’m walking in my purpose,” Vinroy said.
Vinroy views artists as multidimensional by nature and design, sharing that the variety of work he’s taken part in throughout his career has empowered him to serve more people.
“At the core of it, I can’t think of any artist that is truly one-dimensional. We serve a multidimensional art form, we serve a multidimensional world of people. We can’t afford to be one-dimensional,” Vinroy said.
Of course, working on a vast array of projects, building community, and pursuing scholarly research is not a small feat. Vinroy shares that he views balance as his responsibility, and remembers struggling to find it early on in his career.
“Everyone will take all of you all the time if you let them,” Vinroy said.
He shared that balance took more of a conceptual form in the early stages of his career, noting that things can get chaotic as you make your way into professional life. When asked about advice for his younger self just starting his journey as a conductor, Vinroy recalled the true importance of prioritizing artistry and creativity at each turn.
“No matter where you are, no matter what you’re teaching, no matter what you’re doing: find ways to be an artist.”
To keep up with Vinroy’s work, check out his website and Facebook page.
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