Brian Bowen

Brian Bowen, 82, passed away on September 30, 2022, following 4 months with an aggressive form of Lymphoma. Brian was born in Staines, England, on Sept. 27, 1940, during an air raid in WW II. to Alfred and Nancy Bowen. He was raised in a Salvation Army background where he developed his love of music. When he became the bandmaster of his local Salvation Army Church at the age of 25. he combined his musical talents with his strong faith. He was a Fellow with Trinity School of Music in London and was an accomplished conductor and composer of British brass band music. Brian also had an encyclopedic knowledge of classical music and classical music composers. He worked at Schott music publishing company in London for many years working mainly on the Eulinburg Scores coordinating with scholars and composers including Sir Michael Tippett. In 1986 Brian went back to his Salvation Army roots when he was asked to come to New York City in America to work in the Music Department there and conduct the Salvation Army New York Staff Band. He had the opportunity to conduct the band not only in America but in many countries throughout the world. He met his wife, Lois, in The Salvation Army church in Montclair NJ and they were married in 1988. In 1992 He started his freelance career in music editing for Schott Publisher in London, Oxford University Press, Schirmer Inc, Kjos Publishers, The Salvation Army Music Dept in Chicago and more. He loved his work and considered it a hobby as he went into his retirement years. In 2001 Brian and Lois relocated to Sarasota Florida, not only for its beauty but for its reputation for being a Center of the Arts. Over the years in Florida, he took the opportunity to attend concerts by the Sarasota Orchestra, Operas at the beautiful Sarasota Opera House, plays at the historic Asolo theater and countless other events. Brian is predeceased by his son Simon. He is survived by his wife Lois, daughter, Juliet McKee by his first marriage, stepdaughter, Erin Becker, sister Joan Parris and his 5 grandchildren, Louis, Fergus, Kitty, Felix and Xanthe. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota, FL. at 2:00 PM. on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The service will be live streamed at firstpressarasota.org

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Brian Bowen

September 27, 1940 - September 30, 2022