BRIAN E. JONES

JONES, Brian E. Renowned organist and choir director Brian E. Jones, whose tenure as Music Director of Trinity Church in the City of Boston spanned two decades, passed away peacefully, on November 17, 2023. He was 80. A native of Duxbury, Massachusetts, with New England family roots extending back to the seventeenth century, Brian's larger-than-life personality and outsized musical gifts were apparent from an early age. He began piano studies at the age of eight and discovered the majesty of the pipe organ soon thereafter. During his first visit to Trinity Church Boston, as an eager ten-year-old, he was said to have exclaimed 'I want to be the organist here someday!' Some three decades later, his innocently audacious dream became a reality. After earning an undergraduate degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Brian immediately landed a teaching position at Noble and Greenough School, a post he would hold for the next twenty years. Concurrently, he completed the Master of Music program at Boston University. While at Nobles he enthusiastically conducted numerous choral groups and expanded the music program to include the production of a wide variety of musicals. He was much-beloved as a music teacher and developed lifelong friendships with many of his students, some of whom were just a few years his junior. Soon after commencing his teaching career, Brian was appointed Music Director of the Dedham Choral Society, a position he held for twenty-seven years. During his tenure, the group exploded in size, from 25 to 150 members. They also expanded their horizons, performing in both Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall. In 1984, Brian fulfilled his childhood dream when he was appointed Director of Music at Trinity Church Boston. Over the next two decades he developed one of the finest church choirs in the United States, a group that produced five well-received recordings, including the wildly successful 'Candlelight Carols' Christmas CD. The pure tone and warm sound of the singers received numerous accolades. Safe to say, under Brian's spirited and capable direction, the music program at Trinity experienced a true Golden Age. In addition to his success as a choral conductor, Brian also enjoyed a robust solo organ career, performing innumerable concerts and dedicatory recitals in churches and cathedrals throughout the United States and England. In addition to his technical prowess, Brian was admired for his wide-ranging and appealing programs; his insightful and amusing comments; and his colorful use of each instrument. 'I've never heard the organ sound like that before!' was a commonly-heard refrain following one of his concerts. Upon assuming the mantle Emeritus Director of Music and Organist at Trinity Church Boston in 2004, Brian spread his musical wings, accepting interim positions from as far afield as Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2007, a number of Trinity Choir diaspora coalesced to form The Copley Singers, under Brian's baton. This semi-professional and passionate group of musicians began performing together several times each year, most notably during the holiday season. Brian embraced life with relish and gusto. He was the ultimate people person and had a joie de vivre that was infectious. He used his magnetic personality in conjunction with the power of music to support and uplift; to touch and deeply connect countless folks over the years, building communities and forging lifelong friendships along the way. He roared like a lion and performed on the King of Instruments. He was fond of declaring that 'Just one more thing!' would make a fitting epitaph. Brian was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Eileen; his brother, Tom and his wife, Ann. He leaves his husband, Michael Rocha, with whom he shared the past thirty-five years, as well as two children, Eliza Beaulac and her husband, Joe and Nat Jones and his wife, Kiera; four grandchildren, Nick and his wife, Sydney, Caroline and her fiancé, Gramm, Declan and Finley; and the latest addition to the family, great-grandson Weston, born in early September. Brian loved his family dearly. A rip-roaring celebration of Brian's joyous life is being planned for next spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Parkinson's Foundation, https://www.parkinson.org/

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