Salon questionnaire: Aaron McFarlane
Published Saturday December 31st, 2011
Violinist with Symphony New Brunswick and centre director of Saint John Sistema
Telegraph-Journal, The Salon Interview
Age? 27. Provenance?
I was born in Kingston, Ont., but grew up in Montreal. Since university, I've lived mostly in the United States, with one year in Kenya. I moved to Saint John this past summer from Rhode Island to become the centre director of Saint John Sistema.
Why music?
I love music. I had a teacher who told me I should only become a musician if I couldn't possibly imagine my life without music as an important part of my profession. I have countless interests, but, I guess, fundamentally, I could never really imagine my career without music in some form. When you love something this much, you want to share it with other people.
What was your breakthrough moment?
I'm not certain that I've had it yet! Certainly, when I started to think critically about the state of the classical music scene and brainstorming what could happen if I twinned music education and performance, I opened up a whole world of opportunities I hadn't considered before.
What would you be if you weren't a musician?
An airplane pilot. I get positively giddy on airplanes and love exploring airports. I'm fun to travel with because I truly become a seven-year-old boy (in the best possible way), wringing my hands and craning my neck to see out the window as the plane takes off.
What are you working on next?
I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate more performing into my role as centre director and teacher for Sistema Saint John. I'm eager to talk to people who are interested in presenting music in unconventional locations, or for unconventional audiences. I want people to recognize that musicians and artists are people who live in their communities and are relevant to their lives.
What place on Earth inspires you?
Anywhere I can hike. I love the American West, in particular. There's something magical about the deserts and dramatic landscapes. When I visit, I feel like I'm an explorer, no matter how well-trodden the paths I'm crossing seem.
What place in New Brunswick inspires you?
I've only lived in New Brunswick for a short while, but I love the hills and forests around Welsford. There's so much exploring to do there.
Secret indulgence?
This isn't a very well-kept secret, but I eat obscene amounts of ice cream.
Your favourite hero of fiction?
Milo from The Phantom Tollbooth.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Besides the ice cream? Probably craft beer. I absolutely refuse to drink lousy beer - life is too short! I try to buy local, independent beer whenever possible. Beyond that, I own a needlessly large collection of kitchen gadgets.
What is your greatest fear?
Probably needles. It's irrational - I understand what's happening and the sensation doesn't really bother me, but I still have to lie down to avoid fainting.
Greatest joy?
Reaching a summit/destination/campsite of a hike or backpack.
Your favourite composer or musician on Earth?
This really isn't a fair question to ask a musician! Living composer? Osvaldo Golijov. Living musician? Probably Thom Yorke and Radiohead. Dead composer? J.S. Bach. Dead musician? Jimi Hendrix.
What are you reading?
At Home by Bill Bryson. He walks through his home and examines the history of everything in it. It's oddly fascinating.
What's on your iPod?
In terms of music, what I listen to changes frequently. The past few months I've been really into: Bjork's new album, Biophilia, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, and Hey Rosetta!. I also love podcasts, and listen to Radiolab, CBC Radio 3 and This American Life pretty religiously.
What talent would you like to have?
I'd like to be better at small talk. I admire people who can mingle easily with crowds of people who they've never met before.
What is the greatest public misconception about classical music?
There's a lot of misconceptions about classical music, but classical musicians have played a part in creating them. I'd say the one I find most surprising is the conception that classical musicians are almost entirely older men. This is simply not the reality I've experienced as a professional musician. I am surrounded by young, diverse, classical musicians, and young, classical musicians are disproportionately female.
Your most treasured possession?
My violin and bow. I am lucky enough to play a Johannes Cuypers Violin (1792) and Hill bow on loan to me from from Keith and Averil Jolly of Kingston, Ont.
How would you like to die?
Hah! Something quick. A view would be nice, so perhaps falling from somewhere high.
Your favourite venue to perform or hear music?
A living room. So much music was composed for small spaces that a whole genre exists for it. "Chamber music" was written for chambers! It's about time we return music to those smaller chambers and start appreciating how those more intimate encounters with music can be really exciting. s
SOURCE: Telegraph Journal Salon