Simeon W. Brown is a Ph.D. candidate in Musicology studying the state of Orthodox chant in fifteenth-century Venetian Crete. In particular, Simeon is interested in how the offices of the protopapas and protopsaltis used their high positions within the Orthodox church and Venetian government to influence how chant was heard, composed, transmitted, and performed. (If at all!)  

Simeon is a GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellow at Midstory, where he will be diving deeply into the fascinating music of the American Midwest. Whether it's the folk-inspired tunes of Sufjan Stevens or the viral, social-media genre of Midwest Emo, these styles are intimately connected to issues of mythology and identity (temporally and locally). Both folk and pop-punk like to explore one's place in a community, which creates a rich breeding ground for identity-making. These topics provide endless points of curiosity and inquiry for Simeon, a proud Midwesterner. 

During his non-musicological hours, Simeon likes to pick up — and put down — heavy, colored circles.

I am elated and honored to be a GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellow. The work that the fellowship grants affords me the opportunity to serve the larger community of the Midwest and develop and strengthen new skills as a writer, researcher, and educator. Through the Social Impact Fellowship, I am gaining valuable, real-world experience, creating a firm foundation of marketable abilities in and outside academia.

Often, during a Ph.D. program, we become so engrossed in our work that we forget there's a life after our dissertation. GradFUTURES provides a reminder and ample opportunity to break out of our routine and pursue other interests while staying steadfast to our research. By taking part in a GradFUTURES fellowship, we form valuable professional relationships, develop new skills, and gain novel perspectives. Whether we follow a career in academia or industry, GradFUTURES aids graduate students with the opportunity to pursue either path confidently.