Q + A WITH MUSICIAN MICHAEL HOPE

Q + A ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL BASSOON MICHAEL HOPE

QYou’re best known for playing

Assistant Principal Bassoon in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, but for Best of Broadway in April, you’re in the spotlight as a vocalist. How long have you been singing?

ASince I was a teenager and had an adult male voice. I first took vocal music as an extra course credit so I could graduate from high school two years early and go to music college. It was so much fun that I just kept it up!

QAt some point, did you have to choose between pursuing a career as a vocalist versus a bassoonist?

ANot really. I always loved doing both, but one of my biggest goals when I was younger was to have a steady job. Playing the bassoon could provide that. A singer’s life is a little more volatile in that regard. I feel really lucky to have been able to do both and have a really enjoyable twopronged career. Q When you’re performing

with the Orchestra, how is singing different from playing bassoon?

AWhen you’re playing in the Orchestra, you’re a part of a big beautiful organism that collectively melds the efforts of 66 souls to create gorgeous music. That’s quite the rush, because you’re doing that as a member of an awesome team. As a singer, you’re performing strictly as an individual, creating a much more intimate presentation which is way more exposed. It’s pretty nervewracking, but exhilarating in a different and fun way.

QWhat is your favourite style of

music to sing, and what singer do you admire most?

AI really like Broadway show tunes and American Standards. All the songs are about love! I’m also crazy about how the melodies — when combined with the most silly and wonderful rhymes — can really make people think about their own emotions, hopes, dreams and all that good stuff. My favourite singer is Frank Sinatra. With the beauty of his voice and his intimate natural stylings he could make every song sound like he was singing it just to you.

QWhat is the best part of being

a musician, and what is most challenging?

AThe challenging part is maintaining a professional standard all the time. I think this is a crucial part of the privilege that goes with being able to make one’s living this way. The best part is just singing and playing music for the simple joy of making people happy.

QYou’ve been a member of the

CPO for almost 38 years and have made Calgary your home. How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working?

AI’m always working! But when I’m not, I like fixing my own car, and constantly obsessing about NHL hockey and my Calgary Flames...