Brian Westbrook, bass

Here is an interview with Brian in 2020:
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What instrument(s) do you play?
Double bass in WSO, though I play electric bass, guitar, and marching percussion in other environments.

How long have you played your instrument(s)?
7 years on bass, 6 years on guitar, and 2 years on marching percussion.

How long have you been a Wilmington Symphony Orchestra musician?
I've been playing with the Wilmington Symphony since January 2020.

What do you do for a career?
I'm currently a full-time student, and I am planning on attending the University of North Carolina Greensboro in the fall to pursue a career in Music Education. I was a cashier at a grocery store for a while, but nowadays I teach guitar lessons and play gigs around town when I can on double/electric bass and guitar.

Where did you grow up?
Castle Hayne, NC.

What is your favorite song, artist, and/or musical memory?
I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, but I tend to gravitate toward soul, R&B, and hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar is probably my favorite artist.

My favorite musical memories are definitely the first time I ever played in symphonic orchestra as well as the first time I ever played in the pit for theater. My first time playing with the Wilmington Symphony was also amazing cause I finally got to play with all of my teachers at the same time!

Favorite meal or restaurant?
Homemade burritos for sure, but my favorite restaurant is definitely Flaming Amy's Bowl out by Hoggard.

Favorite beverage?
Pepsi. Lots and lots of Pepsi.

What is your favorite vacation?
It's a tie between going up to stay in Waynesville, NC for a weekend last summer or the subsequent attempt to visit Carowinds, Raleigh, and Hillsborough within two days with my girlfriend almost immediately after getting home.

You're stuck on a desert island... What book, music/album/artist, and/or movie do you want with you??
I think I would be fine as long as I had some kind of 60s or 70s greatest hits album and a way to blast the songs all over the island.

What's your pet situation?
I just have one tortoiseshell cat named Skittles who eats a lot and has a vendetta against the walls and furniture in our house.

What do you want people to know about the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra?
Everyone is so welcoming and it's such a great environment to play in! All of the musicians and people involved are super committed to what they do, and they try their best to make the repertoire come to life every concert. I've learned a lot in the short time I've played with the orchestra, and that's a testament to the wealth of knowledge these musicians bring to the table every rehearsal and performance.

How are you keeping yourself occupied while being at home all day?
I began to teach myself music production a little before all of the craziness started, and I actually met with a small group of friends during June and tried to record an EP for the first time in a back room of a restaurant owned by the bandleader's family. Definitely an experience to remember, and I learned a lot from it. Aside from that, just a lot of scrambling and practicing to get ready for college.

Any words of wisdom to help others through this?
Try and stay positive! Too many times have I let myself become a nervous wreck during all of this worrying about things that are out of my control when I could have been putting that energy toward something positive. Always strive to better yourself!

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