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Carole Mikita ReportingWhen their new CD 'No Boundaries' premiered two months ago, it went straight to the top of the classical charts. It turns out, 'The 5 Browns' were competing against themselves, bumping their first CD to #2.
All classical pianists, all Juilliard students, 'The 5 Browns' say they dreamed of becoming concert artists, but never quite imagined the whirlwind life they have stepped into.
Wherever they perform, 'The 5 Browns' present a visual and audio feast. Each a piano student since age three, together they share a talent and a passion for classical music that has taken them to America's most prestigious school, Juilliard, and on a world tour. Some of it they couldn't have imagined.
Melody Brown: "It was just like a screaming audience. Reaction was amazing. We walked out on stage and it was like we were the latest band. We were like, ‘This is awesome.'"
Desirae Brown: "In Germany, I guess they're a lot more aggressive about getting autographs and stuff. As classical musicians, you don't expect that kind of stuff."
Two more, Gregory and Melody, have now received their masters' degrees.
Gregory Brown: "It was pretty hard, especially trying to get in all of our classes and things. I think we barely squeaked by, but we made it through alright."
But the youngest, Ryan, is still balancing classes and concerts.
Ryan Brown: "I'm gonna be in school forever. I have a full year left and I'll be lucky if I finish in a year."
This unique set of siblings remains in demand, appearing on several major networks. They play 20 concerts in 40 days throughout the U.S. this summer, then Europe this fall. And in 2007, they'll visit Japan, Korea and China, spreading the word that classical is cool.
Deondra Brown: "To have parents come up to us and say, 'This is such a good thing for my kids to see,' that it can be fun, that you can be normal and have a good time playing classical music."
'The 5 Browns' perform tonight at the Browning Center in Ogden at 7:30 and tomorrow night at McKay Events Center at UVSC in Orem, same time. Then on June 15th they'll be at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake, also 7:30.
