A native of Seattle, Washington, trumpeter John MacFerran Wilds received his first musical training from his father on the great highland bagpipes. His musical studies later took him to Central Washington University and Indiana University’s School of Music. Mr. Wilds was Principal Trumpet of the New Mexico Symphony and the Mississippi Symphony before joining the trumpet section of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in 1988. John was the Principal Trumpet of Orchestra Nova, formerly Principal Trumpet of the San Diego Opera, co-Principal Trumpet of Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa and is a member of Westwind Brass. As a teacher he is affiliated with San Diego State University, Point Loma Nazarene University, The University of San Diego and Rancho Bernardo High School. John Wilds has had the opportunity to perform and record with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. John and his wife Janis enjoy traveling, cooking, bicycling, architecture and, most of all, their daughter Flora.
GETTING TO KNOW JOHN WILDS…
Q: What are your favorite three tunes or pieces on your iPod/mp3 or CD collection?
A: “The B-52” performed by Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band; “The Sidewinder” with Lee Morgan; Suite of 16th Century Dances with Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble
Q: How did choose your instrument?
A: Listening to the theme song of the 1968 Summer Olympics on ABC.
Q: What are three of your favorite movies?
A: Le Mans, Waking Ned Devine, Ratatouille
Q: What are your two favorite travel destinations?
A: Edinburgh, Scotland and Halifax, Nova Scotia
Q: What are some favorite composers and/or musical periods?
A: Samuel Barber, Paul Hindemith, Alan Hovhaness, Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms, Ludwig van Beethoven and W.A. Mozart.
Q: What good book have you read most recently?
A: In the Company Crows and Ravens by John M. Marzluff
Q: What are your choices for dining in San Diego?
A: Indigo Grill (sadly, now closed), Stone Brewery, El Camino, Whisknladle, El Zarape
Q: What is your favorite San Diego Symphony Orchestra memory?
A: Our daughter Flora conducting the Orchestra in 2000.
