Rene Hernandez, Assistant Principal Trumpet

photo by Christian Colberg

Listen to Rene's interview with Judith Krummeck

When not rehearsing or performing with the BSO, you will most likely find me…discovering fun parks, zoos, and playgrounds with my daughter, Tehya.

If I had not become a professional musician, I may have become…a counselor and/or motivational speaker.

What kind of music helps you unwind?  Anything beautiful.

What do you listen to in the car?  I’m constantly changing stations.

My current ring tone is…Dies Irae from Verdi’s Requiem.

The last book I read was…Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.

Most people would be surprised to learn that…I stopped playing for six months and got a job selling party boat cruise tickets.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or biggest risk you have ever taken?  Besides whitewater rafting on the American and Kennebec Rivers, it would have to be eating at taco vendors all over the streets in Mexico.

My dream is to have my chair (Assistant Principal Trumpet) named.

The non-musical accomplishment that I am most proud of is…being honored by the Native American Community.

What is your guilty pleasure?  I LOVE fried chicken!!!

My favorite place to vacation is…Italy.

What is the last movie you saw?  I only get to see bits and pieces now.

To prepare for a performance…after doing my trumpet calisthenics, I make sure I can clearly hear everything I’m about to play.

If I could choose another instrument to play…I would choose violin because of its repertoire.

Do you play any other instruments?  No, but I always wanted to learn how to play the accordion.

My most embarrassing musical experience was…showing up to a concert with my wife’s very small black pants instead of my own (opps!!).  Luckily we were at a facility that had costumes in their drama department.  I ended up putting on TWO pairs of pants to be able to go out on stage.  I now dry clean my clothes separately.

An extremely positive musical experience that I have had was…performing Bluebeard’s Castle by Bartok at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Italy.

Have you had a profound experience, musical or otherwise, that has shaped or deeply influenced your approach to music?  “Hey…Music is supposed to be fun, right!?!”  I will never forget how Charles Schlueter (First Trumpet, Boston Symphony) scolded me after I told him I was nervous for an upcoming solo.

If I could spend a day with any composer, it would be…Niccolo Paganini.