Welcome to "Meet the Musician," a behind-the-scenes blog series getting to know the Houston Symphony's exceptional musicians.
In this series, we take you up close and personal with the artists who sit on stage at Jones Hall every weekend. Read on to learn more about the inspirations, challenges, and musical passions that drive these remarkable artists. And, of course, you'll learn some fun facts along the way!
Dive in and help us celebrate the diverse stories and experiences that make each musician an integral part of our symphonic family.
Name: Nick Platoff
Position: Principal Trombone
Hometown: New Haven, CT
Tell us a little about yourself:
As a composer, performer, and educator, my goal is to harness the power of music to deliver compounding benefit to the world. This means delighting, nourishing, healing, and empowering people, and watching this positive impact ripple out beyond the concert hall. I am also passionate about spontaneity, silliness, cheese, being outside, friendship, and naps.
How long have you been playing your instrument, and what do you love the most about it?
Twenty three years, and I still love the trombone's capacity for vocal playing, dramatic dynamic range, and versatility to play a wide variety of sounds and genres.
How did you get started playing your instrument?
In 3rd grade, I saw the local high school jazz band play some music from James Bond and thought it was the coolest thing ever. They didn't have that many trombone players, and I was tall enough to reach 7th position, so I thought it would be a good fit and started playing in my elementary school band in 4th grade.
What concert are you looking forward to performing in the most this season or next season?
Impossible to choose just one! Janáček Sinfonietta, Holiday Brass, Schumann 2, and Mahler 3.
Outside of classical music, what genre of music is your favorite?
Another impossible question! I love to listen and perform as wide a range of genres as I can. I gravitate toward infectious grooves, creativity of composition and soundworld, and harmony that makes me feel feelings.
What do you love the most about Houston?
The people! And also tacos.
What’s a fun fact about you that you would like our patrons to know?
I'm a nap influencer.
If you could choose any three people, living or deceased, to have dinner with who would they be?
Hildegard von Bingen, George Gershwin, Igor Stravinsky
