“ Justin Brauer, at the piano, joined the orchestra in an enthusiastic reading of this music. ”

— John Frayne for The News-Gazette
“ For me, the treat was in the music. With a three piece pit orchestra, Justin M. Brauer on the piano ... [brings] the Guaralidi Trio to life. ”

— Sarah Keim for Smile Politely
“ At all times, the nine-piece orchestra conducted by Justin M. Brauer is both lively and smooth. It is notably just right for volume and is a model of accompaniment. ”

— Rosemary Laughlin for The News-Gazette
“ Conductor Justin M. Brauer ably leads the orchestra in its energetic performances... ”

— Mara Bandy for Smile Politely
“ Such an awesome show - Beautiful voice, creative songlist, amazing pianist, and a really beautiful spirit... ”

— Audience member after Krannert Uncorked with Kvn Tajzea and Justin M. Brauer

Updates

AZ Studio Workstations Artist Spotlight

I was recently featured in an artist spotlight by AZ Studio Workstations, the makers of my studio desk.

Giving Tuesday 2023 Video: March of the Illini

My contribution to this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Rent Interviews - Illinois Theatre

Illinois Theatre’s production of Rent was featured in two interviews with Illinois Public Media and Smile Politely.

Making Illinois

Making Illinois is a three-part video series documenting my team’s journey across campus to meet makers and learn more about their shops and the way that they work.

Urinetown Production Photos

Photos from Illinois Theatre’s production of Urinetown.

Whiskey Shadows as Flogging Molly at The Great Cover Up 2022

For this year’s installment of The Great Cover Up, Whiskey Shadows performed as Flogging Molly. You can see our 20-minute set starting at the 1:00 mark.

The Neverland Opening Night

Photos from Illinois Theatre’s production of The Neverland.

Award Winner: Recognizing Generations of Illinois Impact

The Recognizing Generations of Illinois Impact video to which I contributed the music, has received Silver medals in the CASE Circle of Excellence and Case District V awards!

Snoopy the Musical performance tracks

I’m currently finishing up a set of full orchestral accompaniment tracks for a California production of Snoopy the Musical. Check out a preview of four of the tracks!

Sonorities Podcast Theme Music

I recently completed a suite of music for the University of Illinois School of Music’s new podcast “Sonorities.”

Video: Illinois Student Food Pantry and Giving Tuesday 2020

Arrangement of the Illinois State Song for an advertisement for Giving Tuesday at the University of Illinois

EP Release: Music for Podcasts, vol. 1

Available now on all streaming platforms and for purchase/download at Bandcamp!

Manuscript Paper Download

I’ve added my personal manuscript paper to the online store for you to download!

Video: Recognizing Generations of Illinois Impact

Winner: Silver, 2021 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards; Silver, CASE District V Awards

Review: CME WIDI Master

After being a loyal user of CME’s XKey keyboard for years and seeing the success they’ve had with their wireless XKEY Air, I was excited to back their crowdfunding campaign for the WIDI Master, a wireless MIDI solution. The two units I ordered came in the mail yesterday, and I was able to do some brief testing.

Whatcha Tryna Get Into, Adeosun?

Here’s my take on Zach Braff’s ode to Donald Faison, as heard on the Fake Doctors, Real Friends podcast.

Whiskey Shadows as Bob Seger

Whiskey Shadows returned to The Great Cover Up last month (now in its 29th year!) as Bob Seger- check out the video!

Accompaniment Track Sale

In preparation for self-tapes, video submissions, and Skype auditions being the norm for a little bit, I'm offering accompaniment tracks at a deep discount, as well as 32-bar cuts (something I don't normally offer). This is also a great option for teachers who are transitioning performance-based courses online and need accompaniment to send to their performers/ensembles.

Little Miss Perfect Engraving

I recently worked with Joriah Kwame to publish a new engraving of his song “Little Miss Perfect”, originally from Tapes: A Song Cycle and one of the 2019 Write Out Loud winners.

Unworthy Of Your Love - guitar part

A fellow music director asked on facebook today if anyone had the onstage guitar part tabbed out for “Unworthy Of Your Love” from Assassins, either tuned down a half step and played in C, or capoed 2 frets and played in A. When I music directed it a few years ago, my guitar player helped write out the part tuned down a half step, so I tracked down the tab we used, and figured I’d post it here in case others find it useful.

Merrily We Roll Along performance tracks

This past month, I’ve been working on recording rehearsal and performance tracks for Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along at Miami Palmetto Senior High School (in Florida!)

Genius Hub at MusicalWriters.com

You can now get in touch with me via the Genius Hub at MusicalWriters.com, a new resource for pairing musical theatre creatives with freelancers of all kinds!

Autumn Leaves with Kvn Tajzea

Kvn and I played Krannert Center’s “Krannert Uncorked'“ series last week, and revisited some old favorites we’ve done over the past couple of years, including Autumn Leaves.

When I Fall In Love

Hannah and I got married on Saturday, and our ceremony included this arrangement I did of When I Fall In Love, based on Sam Cooke’s arrangement.

Storied. - Scoring Campustown, 1994

Another music project for the day job, this time channeling the sounds of 1994.

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem - 28th Annual Great Cover Up

Continuing my month of Muppets, Whiskey Shadows played at the 28th Annual Great Cover Up in Champaign last weekend.

Can't Get Along Without You - Kermit Unpigged

A few years ago, my dad mentioned in passing that he wanted to learn to play Can’t Get Along Without You, from the 1994 album “Kermit Unpigged”

Meet Tetralogy

This Saturday, I’ll be playing in Champaign with Tetralogy, a new group put together by singer Kvn Tajzea. Get to know the band! See below also for some clips from the last time Kvn, Aaron, and I played together.

With Illinois FY18 Campaign Animation

In the past year, I started a new day job in the Office of Advancement at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I did the music for the campaign progress video we released today.

2017 In Review

It's been almost a year since I last posted an update- whoops! Here's what's happened in that time:

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Justin M. Brauer