Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Featured Artist of the ‘Burg (FAB) 24: Rand Snell

Featured Artist of the ‘Burg (FAB) 24: Rand Snell

Just like art galleries have been cropping up along the 600 block of Central Ave, we want for nothing when it comes to good musicians in the ‘Burg. Our Featured Artist of the ‘Burg Rand Snell, is a local composer, choral accompanist and jazz pianist. The son of a piano teacher, Snell plays numerous instruments and speaks a trio of languages. Early in his career, Snell worked in the U.S. Senate, the Florida Governor’s office, and as a Presidential appointee at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he was Director of State and Local Relations and senior advisor to the Administrator. Along with his passion for music, Snell also is a certified flight instructor, lover of German culture, and a writer. Can you say Renaissance man?

How many different instruments do you play?
My principal instrument is piano, but I also play organ and was a violinist and concert master of my high school orchestra. I also played string bass through my teen years.

ADVERTISEMENT

What brought you to St. Petersburg?
Aging parents and family business responsibilities brought me back to the Tampa Bay area; I grew up in Palmetto and my parents are now living in Bradenton. Tampa was a little too far for frequent commuting, and Sarasota not as interesting. St. Petersburg I knew less well, but it seemed to have taken on a really interesting, young vibe since the sleepy ‘Burg I remembered from my childhood. And in fact, I have found tons of really interesting people and after 7 years feel very much at home here.

What do you love most about the ‘Burg?
The people, first of all, then the weather and the fact that this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I recently moved downtown, and appreciate being in a walking environment that feels very much like a cozy version of a much larger city. And as a pilot, it’s great being right at Albert Whitted Airport, kind of like having a runway and hangar in the back yard. But even before I moved downtown, I had found that this is a very wonderful place to live with great cultural opportunities, good access to beach and water activities, and pretty central to friends in Tampa as well as my family and business in Manatee County.

You speak well of Berlin…What draws you to that city and culture?
Berlin is the new capital of Europe. But it is still much more affordable than other European capitals and still has an edge of youth, culture, artists, and minorities that make it the most cosmopolitan and, for me, the most interesting city in Germany. I studied economics in Germany in my 20s, and have kept up the language through the years. Berlin has incredible high culture, but also tons of popular culture and an audience for new music of all types. It’s fun to be in that mix.

Are you able to appreciate your own music?

Good question! Well, artists are never satisfied, are they? One always realizes that things could have been done a little better, or differently. But that being said, I do enjoy my music and the fact that other people like to perform and listen to it is deeply satisfying. And every performance is different, as music is a collaboration and every performer and conductor brings something new to my blueprint. I always hear something new in performances of classical music, no matter how well I know the piece; and strangely enough I find the same true in live performance of my own music.

Along with everything else, you are a pilot. How does flying and music coincide for you?

At its core, composition is solitary and requires complete concentration. So is flying. In both I find serenity, perspective and satisfaction in doing a challenging thing well. A surprising number of musicians fly; Stefan Sanderling, Conductor Emeritus of The Florida Orchestra, is also a pilot.

ADVERTISEMENT

What ventures would you still like to pursue?
At the moment I am doing a vocal setting of Herman Melville’s Shiloh and have promised some friends that I would write a piece for Woodwind Quintet. That’s actually how things go for me as a composer; I write for my friends, or people who have heard my music and want to commission a piece. I gave a talk recently to composition students at the University of South Florida, and that was my advice; write music that you know will be performed, by people you enjoy working with. You will learn so much more from the practical experience and will find out what does and doesn’t work compositionally, much more so than by writing a symphony that may never be played.

How has the arts environment in the ‘Burg advanced in your time here and where do you see it heading?
The fine arts have survived the most difficult economic time since the 1930s, and I see them becoming if anything even more important to the economic life of the city. Look at the great work coming from so many active artists in different mediums, from Duncan McClellan‘s incredible glass work and the work of other visual artists in our galleries, to the great multi-dimensional experience at Studio@620, the jazz scene and Nate Najar‘s work, the great theater scene with an audience to support freeFall Theatre and American Stage. I’m amazed by Mark Sforzini’s productions with St. Petersburg Opera, the revitalized Mahaffey bookings and the diversity of programming at the Palladium Theater. There are some great kids doing jazz and rock jam sessions all around town, and the live music scene for pop music is incredible. Having strong cultural resources is a big part of what makes this an attractive area to live.

Photo via Rand Snell

If you like this story, Like us on Facebook to stay in the know!

ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe Now

Don’t miss out on All Things Good in the Burg 👉
👇 GET UPDATES 👇

Stay connected to All Things Good in the Burg by subscribing today.