We recently connected with Brian Childers and have shared our conversation below.

Brian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents are wonderful. Full Stop. There are not enough accolades I can share that would adequately express what my parents have meant to me both personally and professionally. Both of my parents are retired professional church musicians. They met and married in college where each earned undergrad degrees in music.

They both modeled for me what professional musicianship looks like. from the perspective of consistent practice, preparation and leading others. My parents gave me the opportunity to begin piano study at a young age, sing in choirs from childhood through graduation, play in school band and instrumental ensembles at church, and attend music festivals across the country.

They gave me all of these opportunities at the same time they made crystal clear to me they didn’t expect me to be a full time professional musician. Instead, they allowed me the space to discover my own passions and forge my own path. This freedom gave me the motivation and independence I needed to become my own musician in my own right.

This never would have happened without their constant and consistent unwavering love, support and encouragement. As I said earlier. My parents are wonderful!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a full-time church musician who specializes in working with handbells and developing children’s voices. I freelance as an author, composer, and conductor.. As a composer, I provide commissioned music for special events as well as composing for my own music publishing company. My music is at once reflective, provocative and driven, offering different modes of expression for performers and listeners alike.

As a conductor, I work with choirs across the US in helping them to find and shaper their expressive voice while developing good rehearsal techniques to help them achieve a higher level of musicianship.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I began composing at an early age. In college, I began as a composition major, but soon discovered, my own compositions weren’t welcome, supported or encouraged, I shifted gears, but continued to compose on my own. It took me over 100 rejections of my music to get my first title published. The rejections infuriated me while at the same time steeling my resolve to improve and further develop my skills. I’m grateful on the other side of those rejections for all I learned about myself and my craft.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I would have loved to have had more mentors who were directly involved in my personal development. While there were a few along the way, they impacted me more in passing than with a continual stream of support and development. I’m to the point in my career now where I feel I can provide that for others who are just beginning their journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BrianChilders.org
• Youtube: @brianchilders187

Image Credits

Karna Roa