Person

Leyton-Brown, Howard, 1918-

Dr. Howard Leyton-Brown was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1918. He began violin lessons at the age of seven and at twelve, obtained a three year university scholarship, eventually graduating with a Diploma of music from Melbourne University. In 1937, Leyton-Brown moved to England with his mother and sister, where he continued to study the violin. He also went on to study in Germany and Belgium. With the advent of the Second World War, Leyton-Brown joined the Royal Air Force, spending time in Estevan, Saskatchewan as an instructor as well as flying with the bombing command, which led to his receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1948, Leyton-Brown joined the London Philharmonic Orchestra as deputy concertmaster, eventually becoming concertmaster. Doubts about the future of the London Philharmonic brought Leyton-Brown back to Estevan where he began to search for employment in Canada's music world. In 1952 he became head of the string department at the Conservatory of Music in Regina. In 1955, he became Director of the Conservatory, a position which he occupied until his retirement in June of 1986. His activities within the Department of Music at the University of Regina led to a Full Professorship in 1966. As well, Leyton-Brown has been an intregal part of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, conducting the Symphony from 1960 to 1971 and becoming concertmaster in the mid-seventies. In 1971, Leyton-Brown completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts and Musical Performance at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Leyton-Brown was appointed to the Canada Council for a four year term (1971-74), as a member from 1966 to 1972, and as Director in 1967. He was also appointed to the Order of Canada in 1987. Leyton-Brown has performed internationally and many of his students have gone on to play in major symphonies in Canada, the United States, and overseas. He continued to teach violin and viola at the Conservatory after his retirement as its Director.