Christopher M Brown is the Technology Facilitator for Marie Murphy School and District Technology Coordinator for the Avoca School District 37 in Wilmette, Illinois. Among many responsibilities, he coordinates their 1:1 laptop initiative, integrates technology into the school curriculum in all disciplines, and teaches staff development classes throughout the district.

Recently, Mr. Brown was named an Apple Distinguished Educator by Apple Inc., was selected by the National School Boards Association as a “20 to Watch” educator, and Marie Murphy School was named an Apple Distinguished School by Apple Inc.

Mr. Brown has a Master in Music Education degree from Northwestern University that focused on technology in relation to music education and instrumental teaching pedagogy. His major teachers were Peter Webster, Maud Hickey, Scott Lipscomb, and Virgil Moorefield. At Northwestern he was interim director of the music school Macintosh Computer Lab and also the graduate assistant for the Partnerships through the Arts program. Mr. Brown also holds degrees in Music Education and Music Performance on Saxophone from Ithaca College studying with Steven Mauk and Mark Fonder.

Mr. Brown has been published in the Illinois Music Educator’s Journal and has presented at the National Educational Computing Conference, National School Boards Association T+L2, , Association of Technology in Music Instruction Conference, National Symposium on Music Instruction Technology, Illinois Technology Conference for Educators, Indiana Music Education Association Convention, Music Player Live National Conference, and Technology Institute for Music Education National Conference. He has also given lectures on music technology and digital portfolio development at Roosevelt University and is a certified instructor for Technology Institute for Music Educators.

Mr. Brown’s interest in technology began in the first grade when his elementary school purchased a TRS-80 computer with a cassette tape drive. Currently he is interested in using computer technology to enhance instrumental music teaching and throughout the whole school curriculum. He has used computer technology in music composition projects, instructing students on the basics of notation and sequencing and is available as a freelance private tutor in music and general education technology as well as being a certified instructor for the Technology Institute for Music Education.

Prior to his current appointment he taught instrumental music for six years in New York and Illinois. His students have been honored at the county, region, and state level for their performance excellence. For four years he instructed the saxophone and clarinet section of the Bands of America Grand National Finalist Webster High School Marching Band. At the same time, while teaching at Marcus Whitman Middle School in Rushville, NY, he was the assistant director of the New York State Champion Marcus Whitman Wildcat Marching Band.

Mr. Brown served as a certified New York State School Music Association adjudicator for three years focusing on woodwind performance and evaluation. Serving as director of the Gorham Pageant of Bands, he coordinated a yearlong effort of organization that entailed hundreds of parent volunteers and thousands of students. He also directed other events including Artistry in Motion and the Ontario Elementary All County Music Festival while teaching in New York.

As a performer, Mr. Brown has played with concert bands, big bands and jazz ensembles throughout his professional career. He has performed with the Perinton Concert Band, Flower City Parks Band, Finger Lakes Jazz All Stars, Ithaca College Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, Northwestern University Jazz Ensemble, and his own group the Finger Lakes Saxophone Quartet.