CMC Associate composer and violist, Thomas Beckman serves as Festival Composer for the Artists for Conservation, and violin and viola instructor at World of Music and Arts. His new #violalicks series focuses on 52 film and television music themes, and is now into its third release, with one scheduled every week for 2024. Thomas also performs every other week with harpist Josephine Lee at the Westin Bayshore and gives regular classical recitals with pianist Kitty Lam.
Name:
Thomas Beckman
Genre:
Classical / Film Music
Founded:
2010 (began to work as a self-employed musician/composer after graduation from UBC with an MMus in Western classical performance – viola)
# of Albums:
4
Latest Album:
Violalicks Compilation Album
Latest Single:
Jurassic Park theme cover
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Yuri Bashmet (violist) and John Williams (composer)
Favourite musician now:
Maxim Rysanov
Guilty pleasure song:
Helena’s Theme from the latest Indiana Jones film (Dial of Destiny)
Live show ritual:
Using my loop pedal and going into a trance!
Favourite local musician:
Jarrett Plett – manic percussionist
EP or LP?
LP
Early bird or night owl?
A bit of both – but mainly night owl
Road or studio?
Studio for sure
Any shows or albums coming up?
My violalicks series – 52 musical themes – one weekly release of a famous film/TV theme cover
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Youtube | Instagram | Tiktok
***
Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Tamam – Fine Palestinian Cuisine on East Hastings
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Granville Street -my band (Sons of Granville) is named after it due to a long and proud record of busking between Granville and Robson 🙂
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Van Dusen Gardens – every year I’m hired to perform there for the Artists for Conservation festival, and it’s very meaningful work in a gorgeous location
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
The Orpheum, as I’m a VSO fan
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Zulu Records – great vibe, plus with VHS section what’s not to like for an 80’s baby!
