(by Jesse Wilson)
Philip Pan retired in 2017 as Concertmaster for the Jacksonville Symphony, which he joined in 1984. He also has appeared with the Boston Pops, Albany and Schenectady Symphonies and the Bach Aria Festival.
He began playing piano at the age of six and first picked up the violin when he was eight. Mr. Pan knew he was doing something special at the age of 13 when he was playing Danny Boy for a ladies music club and first realized he “had the room.” Another moment was when Henry Mancini, famous for his movie scores and compositions, told Pan “you’ve really got it,” just after he played his theme from The Godfather.
Mr. Pan performs on his seven-string electric Viper violin at clubs and events throughout Jacksonville. Not surprisingly, he also likes to rock. He has recorded and appeared with artists such as JJ Gray and Mofro, Jackson Vegas, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine and Canary in the Coalmine. He says there is a myth that non-classical music is easy or just a hobby. “Just the opposite,” he says. “It’s much harder because I don’t have 40-plus years of experience behind me and I always seek professional standards.”