The death has been announced of Brian Bowen, the former Bandmaster of the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army. He was aged 82.

In an announcement made on their Facebook page, they stated: "Brian Bowen has been promoted to glory. Brian was a wonderful father, husband, musician, leader, and composer whose life and works have deeply impacted countless individuals through the years.

Please join us in praying for his family during these difficult days."

Tributes

Tributes from across the musical world were also paid with Dr Ray Farr stating that he was "a fine, intelligent musician", whilst Deryck Diffey add that he was "a composer of exceptional meaningful quality."

Brian Bowen played flugel horn with the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army from 1964 to 1976 and for 25 years conducted the Salvation Army band in his home town of Staines.

New York Staff Band

In 1986 he moved to the USA to become Music Director of the New York Staff Band, a post he held with great passion and distinction. He later moved with his wife, Lois to live in Florida.

For several years he was also on the panel of judges for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's annual Young Artists Auditions.

His professional career saw him work as a music editor, first with The Salvation Army in London before moving into classical and contemporary publications, working for Schott/Eulenburg and Josef Weinberger Ltd.

He later became associate editor for Eulenburg Study Scores, while also freelance editing for other publishers.

In 1986 he moved to the USA to become Music Director of the New York Staff Band, a post he held with great passion and distinction4BR

Works

His works for the medium included 'My Comfort and Strength', written in 1963, 'The Southern Cross', 'Day of the Spiritual', and 'Day of the Spiritual', whilst his 'Euphonium Concerto' (1978) became a standard of all high class performers.

His compilation of popular Rimsky-Korsakov themes entitled 'Kaleidoscope' was also greeted with critical acclaim.