It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our former colleague, friend, and beloved music announcer, Steve Brown. Steve passed away on Thursday, August 31 following many months of illness.
Steve joined WVTF in 2001 and quickly became one of our most popular Classical music announcers. He shared his love of great music with us for over 14 years, adding special insights and anecdotes that increased our knowledge and enthusiasm for the compositions and composers that were a special part of his life.
Steve was a dynamic personality that expanded well beyond the airwaves of WVTF. He was an active music composer, band and orchestra conductor, and a popular actor whose many on-stage appearances in the area were highly regarded.
Steve Brown was an extraordinary person with many talents and a giving heart. Truly a great loss to our community, he will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched both on and off the radio.
To Steve and his family, our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy from all of us at WVTF Music.
A message from David Stewart Wiley of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra:
On behalf of all of us at the Roanoke Symphony and the extended symphony family, we were sorry to hear of Steve Brown’s passing. Steve will be deeply missed, and I know I share the sentiment of many listeners and WVTF supporters that enjoyed over the years his wonderful presence in our lives and in our community.
We had the privilege at the Roanoke Symphony of doing at least three of his works – the “Blue Ridge Rhapsody,” “A Fanfare for Floyd,” which we did up in Floyd County, and then a big orchestral work, “O Wonder.”
I love the title of that last one because his sense of awe and beauty – capturing come of the local sounds, the mountain sounds, along with great classical music really inspired me and inspired us and I know our audiences loved his pieces.
Again, on behalf of all of us at the Roanoke Symphony and longtime WVTF listeners, our sincerest condolences to Steve’s family. He will be deeply, deeply missed.