Singer Anthony Brown performs in Newark to honor former teacher

By Anna Sudar

NEWARK– The first time Bob Ewing heard Anthony Brown sing, he
knew he was listening to something special.

Ewing was a music teacher at Central Christian High School in
Kidron, working with dozens of students every day, when Brown
auditioned for his choir in 1965.

Something about the 16-year-old’s voice made him stand out from
the crowd, Ewing said.

He realized Brown had potential for greatness, if he had the
right training.

“He sings with his heart,” Ewing said. “But I knew he wouldn’t
really have a good voice without a good foundation.”

He started meeting with the teenager one-on-one to work on his
vocal techniques.

More than 40 years later, Brown, now 62, is a professional
baritone, performing dozens of concerts every year for audiences
all over the world.

On March 18, he will stop in Newark to visit Ewing and perform a
free concert to show his gratitude to the 85-year-old teacher who
influenced his musical career.

“I remember being in the music room and him teaching me scales,”
Brown said. “He gave me a solid foundation to build on and that is
huge.”