A
`bone to pick with Peter Francis:
Artist of the Month
By Aidan Levy
How
and when did you get started playing music?
Since both of my parents are musicians, it kind of
just started when I was a kid.
Why do you like music?
I like it because I’m good at it and it’s
not typical schoolwork.
Why did you choose to play cello and trombone? Which do you prefer?
I started playing cello when I was four because I
thought it would be fun. Then I started trombone in fourth grade because
I was confused by it at first and it intrigued me. At this point, I prefer
trombone.
For how long do you practice each day?
It’s usually between an hour and a half and
two hours, but it depends on the day. The amount of time I spend with
my horn every day is four or five hours.
 Photo/Katie Kan |
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Senior
Peter Francis is in a love triangle with his cello and trombone.
Both instruments hold a special place in his heart. Will it be the
cello or trombone that will win his love?
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I started in Inter-El on cello as a fourth grader, then fifth grade I did trombone in band. I did band and orchestra through middle school. I’ve continued doing both. I am a member of I Giovanni Solisti and the Concert Jazz Band, the first ever for that combination.
Which do you like better: jazz or classical music?
I like them equally for different reasons. Jazz sounds more fun at first glance, but classical is more powerful overall to me. It leaves a resonating feeling when you’re playing it.
What is the most challenging aspect of jazz? and of classical?
The most challenging aspect of jazz is improvisation. For classical it’s technical ability. You have to practice and practice and practice. For me, it becomes tedious.
Who are your major influences?
My trombone teacher Scott Bean, and in jazz listening to greats such as J.J. Johnson, Steve Davis, who lives in Connecticut, and Curtis Fuller. There are many more.
What advice would you give aspiring jazz improvisers or classical performers?
Pertaining to the jazz musicians, start young, as young as possible. Due to the fact that I started playing jazz only two years ago, I feel that I am a weaker player than those people who started younger than I. Classically, just practice and listen to classical players a lot.
What are your recent accomplishments or recognitions involving the arts?
Last year, I got into the finals of the Hartford Symphony Concerto competition on trombone. I got an honorable mention.
I try and relax. I usually don’t, but there are a few occasions when I do. I just sit down in a quiet place and close my eyes and see if I can focus on something other than what I’m about to have to do.
What do you like about Hall’s music program?
I like the fact that it is so supportive of the young musicians who are at a high enough level to not only perform musically but also perform highly in academics.
The best thing I would say about Hall’s Arts program is that it’s incredibly strong for a public school.
Your older sister Lily is very talented at the violin. Do you feel any competition with her?
No, due to the fact that she plays violin and I am concentrating more and more on trombone.
They are in such different spectrums of the music world. I feel no pressure at all in any sense and never have.
What are your future plans regarding music?
I’d like to go into music on trombone into a conservatory. Ideally I would like to do classical and jazz, but now I’m focusing mainly on classical and I figure I’ll come back to jazz at some point if I’m not continuously working on it.
Do you have any surprises planned for your last year at Hall?
If I told you, Aidan, they wouldn’t be very good surprises now would they?
