SUBMITTED PHOTO Ralph Browne loved everything about music. He loved everything about people. The longtime director of the local Selah Singers passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Enthusiasm was a driving force in the life of Ralph Browne, who loomed large in the music community. Enthusiasm is the message that will be conveyed in the celebration of his life on Saturday.
“He really was enthusiastic about singing and the choir,” said John Crisp, a former student and music librarian for the Selah Singers, which Browne directed. “He wanted us to realize that it was a ‘pleasure.’ He had an outgoing, bubbly personality.”
Browne, who had been teaching music for 30 years and directing the Selah Singers for about 15, revealed last summer he’d been diagnosed with cancer. He passed away on Sunday at the age of 59.
Browne spent the past few months writing a piece of music that the choir will perform at his service. The words are taken from Habbakuk chapter three in the Old Testament.
“Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice,” said Crisp, full of emotion, quoting from the lyrics. “Essentially … he was teaching us how to die. That piece of music is all about rejoicing and joy.”
Enthusiasm and a positive message is what he conveyed to his students over the years, including Pam Chisholm.
“The amount of confidence, self-worth, musicality and harmony he brought into my life was instrumental to my future,” said Chisholm. “He probably had no idea how big an impact he had on my life and my future.”
Holly Stanich had four years of lessons with Browne and now teaches young children herself. She says she imparts Browne’s lessons to them and those lessons will live on for generations to come. Browne taught her that music is not just something to perform but a tool to use in daily life, she said. If she’s having a bad day she will play music and sing.
In an interview with the News last summer Browne explained his passion.
“Music is something that has always pursued me,” said Browne. “It wasn’t something I had to do but no matter where I went it was always what I ended up doing – it eventually became the main thing. It really brings me joy.”
Marissa Patterson had voice lessons with Browne for five years.
“He really inspired my love of music … He saw something in me that nobody else did.”
Jessica Huber, another former student, says, “He wasn’t just a teacher … He created a passion in me for my entire life.”
Hunter Semrau said Browne’s guidance and instruction influenced his decision to pursue music as a career.
“Ralph was always so supportive of my dreams and shaped my life and musical ability every day I was with him.”
After 10 years of lessons with Browne, Jessica Schnell is now studying musical theatre. She says he understood there were life lessons to be learned that would influence your music performances.
“He was just so generous with me, he had a zest for life,” said Schnell.
Dawsyn Huff says Browne was able, with his huge smile, to melt away any issues or cares you may have had when you arrived for a lesson.
For Tianna Watt it was Browne’s ability to see the potential in his students and make them shine and instill confidence that is of note. Browne’s refrain of music being “pleasure not a pressure” will live on forever.
There are two other pieces of music that will be sung by the choir at the celebration of Browne’s life. They are ones he specifically chose – “We are not Alone” and “He Never Failed me Yet,” said Crisp.
Browne was able to remain at home during his illness until about two weeks ago when he was transferred to the hospice, said Crisp. Even when he first made public his cancer diagnosis he remained “positive and upbeat throughout his illness.”
The celebration of Browne’s life will take place at Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church, 3785 13th Ave. SE, on Saturday at 11 a.m.
