William McPeters

Bass

Hometown: West Caldwell, NJ
Alma mater: The Juilliard School
Appearances Atlantic Music Festival, Maine, 2014; Aspen Music Festival, 2012–13
Musical origins: I started on cello at age 8, switched to bass at 12. Bass looked “cooler” to me, and I realized there were many more opportunities such as jazz and rock that are more easily accessible to a bass player. Furthermore, I just like bass lines.
What inspired you to audition for TŌN? I heard about it from friends. I applied because I felt like it bridged the gap between school and the professional world and would give me an opportunity to play in an orchestra on a more full-time basis.
Favorite piece to play: Brahms’ Symphony No. 2
Favorite obscure piece: Aeolian Harp by Henry Cowell
Favorite musical memory: It’s a tie between playing Strauss’ Ein Heldeleben in Aspen, and my band’s last show, which went for two hours at 2a (a famous venue in NYC).
Which composer would have had the best social media: No idea, I barely have social media.
Favorite fact about your instrument: Its lower frequency sound waves are something like 30ft long.
The things most people don’t know about classical music is: How wide the range of music is and how many sub-genres there are.
Favorite non-classical musician: Jaco Pastorius
Musical guilty pleasure: Dropping as many notes to the extension as possible
Best music to have on repeat: It all depends on my mood and what I’m doing so my answer is Pandora internet radio.
What recording would you take to a deserted island: One with really nice artwork because that’s all it would be useful for. I understand the question, but any device I could use to listen to music I would use for survival, or help get me off said island. (Otherwise, it would be someone playing the Bach cello suites).
Proudest accomplishment: Playing at Carnegie Hall and going to Juilliard
Favorite non-musical hobby: Fishing and woodworking
Last book read: Honestly, it was The Surfcaster’s Guide to the Striper Coast by D. J. Muller
Favorite painting: Paintings by my dad
Piece of advice for a young classical musician: Practice meticulously, slowly, and efficiently.
Time travel destination: Middle Ages or Wild West