The Passion of John Brown (rev. 2026)

This surround-sound, narrated work tells the fascinating story of the controversial 19th-century abolitionist through his own words, as well as those of his children, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and the widow of a man Brown ordered murdered. Robert E. Lee, “Jeb” Stuart, and Frederick Douglass also figure into Brown’s story. The work includes uptempo action sequences describing paramilitary operations, nostalgic passages of memories of Brown’s children or their father, Brown’s own dramatic defense spoken at his 1859 trial, and the letter he wrote to his wife and children from jail as he awaited hanging. It includes a passage for a solo baritone voice (best if this can be the narrator) and a brief "fiddle" passage for a solo violin. "Ayers' PASSION OF JOHN BROWN was a total knock out. The audience was overwhelmed, and their powerful response has continued unabated. I keep hearing from people how moved they were by the music, the drama, and the haunting ‘flashbacks.’ " – Christopher Wilkins, Music Director & Conductor, the Akron Symphony Orchestra "An Amazing work, beautifully paced and orchestrated. I love it". —David Daniels, author of “Orchestral Music Handbook”