Pottsville, PA
607 Mahantongo Street
Phone:
570 622-2724
THE BRAUN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
SINCE 1912
OUR SCHOOL
Chopin
NEWS
Braun celebrates 100th Year
On October 7, 2012, the School celebrated its hundreth year with a Jazz Recital featuring senior students from Pottsville Area High School--Mike Halcovage (alto sax) & John Shoener (trumpet). Both students are entering the field of music. A faculty rhythm section provided the accompaniment.
Built in the 1840s by coal developer John Pinkerton (originally from New Orleans), the school's general appearance remains much the same in the year 2000. Originally it was part of a tripartite complex known as the Pinkerton Cottages that was built on a terrace overlooking Mahantongo Street. The terrace was called Courtland Terrace and maintained separate addresses until Mahantongo Street filled in, at which time it became became part of the large thoroughfare. Many historical exterior features remain, such as hitching posts, carriage stepping stones, and boot scrapers. The only major alterations to the exterior structure were extensions added to the rear of the building. It is truly an historical landmark, both for its musical and early mining industry associations
School Structure
Brief History
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Schuylkill County's Oldest Music Facility in Pottsville, PA. A BRIEF HISTORY Founded in 1912 by pianist Robert Braun in his own home, the school quickly became a rousing success and soon moved to a South Centre Street location. During the 1920s, Braun became internationally famous as a concert pianist, and with the rapid growth of radio, he became music director of WJZ in New York City. From his influential position, Braun was able to bring many well-known classical performers to the city of Pottsville, among them, his mentor Leopold Godowsky. In the mid-1930s, the school moved to its present location, 607 Mahantongo Street, where it it flourished until Braun's death in 1955. Thereafter, Frances Zerbey Braun, Robert's widow, capably ran the school, but a true revival was effected after it was purchased by its present owners, Lawrence and Marilu Amour Koch, in 1969. |
YARDBIRD SUITE book by Braun owner/director
Lawrence Koch's book on the music and life of jazz alto saxophonist Charlie Parker has become a well-recognized work on the analysis of the bebop pioneer's approach to jazz improvisation.
Former Braun student appointed as local band director
Craig Shoener was awarded the permanent position of band director at Pottsville Area High School beginning at the start of the 2012-13 term. Craig was a trumpet & jazz improv student at the school durig the late 70s & early 80s.
People in slideshow
(1) Lawrence Koch-present owner/director since 1969.
(2) Founder Robt. Braun (L) with his mentor Leopold Godowsky.
