| Q: |
What have you worked on beyond your classes? |
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| A: |
I’ve worked as a freelance musician since I was 19 years
old ... in many different venues, from Las Vegas to the Los
Angeles Philharmonic. I’m a tenured member of the Pacific
Symphony Orchestra, where I play timpani; and the Pasadena Symphony,
Hollywood Bowl and Opera Pacific orchestras, where I play French
horn. |
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| Q: |
On what occasions would an orchestra, that you’re
not a member of, call you? |
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| A: |
When they need an extra person — somebody takes off,
or a piece may call for more French horns than they have.
I’ve played hundreds of concerts and numerous recordings
with the L.A. Philharmonic as an "extra" player.
Most of the other work I do is in music scoring — recorded
music soundtracks. Early in my career, I worked on TV shows,
but during the last 20 years, I’ve done hundreds of
motion picture soundtracks. |
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| Q: |
What are some of your most recent soundtracks? |
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| A: |
The most recent one was a remake of the movie "Yours,
Mine and Ours." |
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| Q: |
What about your early soundtracks? |
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| A: |
I’ve been fortunate to work on several Academy Award-winning
movies scores — "Out of Africa," "Dances
With Wolves" and "Titanic." In TV, I worked
on "Columbo," "A Team," "Rockford
Files," "Greatest American Hero" and "JAG."
I also worked on some of the last "Gunsmoke" episodes,
which really shows my age. |
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| Q: |
Did you work on the TV shows regularly? |
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| A: |
I did different ones on different weeks. It was fun. I also
worked on a lot of records with different musicians, like Julie
Andrews, Willy Nelson, Randy Newman, Frank Zappa, the Four Seasons,
Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. |
|
| Q: |
In an earlier conversation, you mentioned that you
worked at Disneyland — any special occasion? |
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| A: |
Yes, the ceremony for the opening of their 50th anniversary. |
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| Q: |
Do you work there very often? |
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| A: |
Not at Disneyland. Sometimes I’ll record music for a
ride or for their fireworks shows; or for some other feature.
And, I often work on music for Disney films. |
|
| Q: |
What is your involvement with the new Performing Arts
Center? |
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| A: |
Aside from being involved in some of the initial planning,
I communicated with one of my former teachers, William Kraft,
who is a world-renowned composer. He’s agreed to compose
a new piece for the CSUF Wind Ensemble for the dedication ceremony. |
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| Q: |
Do you ever see your former students in professional
positions? |
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| A: |
I’ve regularly worked with a number of them through
the years. It’s kind of been a neat thing. Several of
my students are members of the Pacific Symphony and Hollywood
Bowl orchestras, and several have also become recording musicians.
A lot of them have moved and are professionals elsewhere. In
this day and age, it’s not the easiest thing to become
a working musician. |
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| Q: |
What are the difficulties? |
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| A: |
There’s a lot of competition and in recent years, the
amount of work has shrunk, as far as the recording industry
is concerned. |
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| Q: |
What has changed? |
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| A: |
Projects have gone elsewhere. The world has shrunk —
it’s easier for projects to go wherever they want. I think
technology has also played a part, especially in TV, because
live orchestras are not used as much. Also, a typical symphony
audition attracts more than 200 applicants, so the odds are
not the greatest in that field either. |
|
| Q: |
The fact that you play French horn and timpani seems
very different. |
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| A: |
They are. Growing up, I had an interest in both, and I studied
them very seriously. I am extremely fortunate that I have found
avenues for both professionally. |
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| Q: |
In your experiences with orchestras, have there been
any significant moments for you? |
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| A: |
In my symphonic work, I’ve had the honor to work with
some of the greatest conductors and soloists in the world. In
the recording industry, I think the greatest thing is working
with colleagues who are some of the best musicians on the planet.
Seldom do I go on a job that I don’t learn something.
I’m extremely thankful for both my academic life and professional
life. |
