Paul Jackson has studied the violin since age three. Born in Hudson, New York, he grew up in Brevard County, living in Melbourne and Merritt Island, attending McNair Magnet Middle School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Merritt Island High School. While in Brevard, Paul studied violin privately under Donna Gilbert and Laura Pinfield, was a member of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra from 1987-1997, and was selected to the Brevard County All-County Orchestra five times, and the All-State Orchestra four times.
After a move to Iowa for his senior year of high school, Paul attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, receiving the Distinguished Artist Award scholarship, where he studied Music Education and Performance, receiving the Bachelor of Music Degree, Cum Laude, in Music Education in 2002. As a student, he had the opportunity to perform on concert tours around the eastern US, Canada, the UK, and Eastern Europe. Upon graduation, he moved back to Florida after accepting a position as Orchestra Director at Astronaut High School and Madison Middle School in Titusville, and now teaches 85+ orchestra students as well as twelve seventh-grade budding percussionists. Recently, Paul completed his Master of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. He also is the Brevard All-County Middle School Orchestra Chairman, and is the current Florida Orchestra Association Chair for Brevard County.
Paul can often be found performing as a part of The Jackson Trio with his wife, Mary and sister, Nancy, both members of the SCSO, in the pit at Cocoa Village Playhouse, and as percussionist with the Central Florida Winds. An active member of his church, Covenant Presbyterian in Palm Bay, Paul plays electric violin with the praise team, co-directs the Adult Choir with his wife, and is active in the audio and video ministries of the church.
What is your favorite aspect about being a musician? Every day is something new… That’s the best part! For me, reaching people with little or no music experience or exposure, and watching their reactions as they finally “get it” is one of the best things ever. Being a music teacher, I get to see it every day; now playing with SCSO, I get to experience it every concert. The outreach that the SCSO is doing through exposing people to classical music is amazing!
Which composers most inspire you? I’ve always been a fan of Tchaikovsky, Dvorak and Copland, even when I was growing up. I have learned to love Bach, and I’m starting to warm up to Brahms. I think the all Brahms concert from first season may have contributed to that.
What are your favorite recordings? My sister has a recording of all English string orchestra music that we refer to as “The Mother of All CDs.” That’s up on the list. I also like my recording of Leonard Bernstein conducting Barber’s “Adagio,” and Gil Shaham’s CD “American Scenes.”
What piece are you looking forward to most in the SCSO's 2010 - 2011 Season? Dvorak 9 has always been a favorite, as well as Mendellsohn 4, and I’m looking forward to the Sleeping Beauty Suite.
