Hometown:
San Antonio, Texas
Education:
Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music Bachelor of Music 2024
Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music Master of Music 2026 (expected)
Bio:
Javier is a student of Kurt Muroki and Jeffrey Turner at Indiana University. He has been recently added as substitute double bass to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Nashville Symphony. Other musical interests include secondary studies in composition and conducting. Recent focus as a soloist is on the Italian Classical and Romantic literature. When at home, he joins the ensemble which accompanies the choir at the Shrine of St. Padre Pio.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I was drawn to the deep sound of the double bass at a young age and was fortunate to have the opportunity to start receiving instruction in fifth grade.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Franz Liszt’s “Dante Symphony” – it’s truly a profound sermon; and the Symphony in E Major by Hans Rott – the heart-wrenching tragedy of the composer’s life contrasted with the innovation and pure beauty of this work, it gets an emotional response that no other piece does.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
The front of my instrument is made of wood that was taken from a door in an abandoned barn somewhere in the northeast. That barn was built in around 1790, but the rest of my bass is made from new wood and was constructed in 2022.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I enjoy playing sports like tennis, ping pong, and basketball.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I see NRO as the perfect opportunity to test my endurance, efficiency, and overall proficiency as a musician and a double bass player. NRO is arguably the most demanding summer orchestral training program in the country, so I believe that it is a valuable resource for anyone working towards a career as an orchestral musician. I also believe very strongly that the classics (or so-called “standard orchestral works”), beyond having great tunes, still present compelling stories and perspectives that can resonate with American audiences in the 21st century, so I am drawn to NRO by its focus on this repertoire. Also, it is a great opportunity for me to revisit some of these monumental works which I have already performed while also gaining experience with the ones I haven’t.