Toot Your Own Horn with Frank Silva (Episode 26)

Welcome to today’s episode of Toot Your Own Horn: Music Matters, where we explore the extraordinary journey of Frank Silva—a multi-talented musician whose path to a successful career in music is as fascinating as it is inspiring. Frank's story begins in his youth, heavily influenced by a surprising nudge from his mother. She encouraged him to join the school band, and at first, Frank wasn’t particularly dedicated to his music lessons. In fact, he often relied on his charm to impress his instructor by sight-reading his lessons, avoiding the hard work of practice. Much of this initial motivation stemmed from a desire to escape gym class—a creative way to avoid physical education! However, it was the opportunity to join the high school jazz band that sparked a genuine passion in Frank for music. This chance encouraged him to truly engage with his instrument, the saxophone, and he soon found himself immersed in the world of music. By the end of high school, Frank had developed his skill set beyond the saxophone, mastering the clarinet and flute as well. Opting for a practical career, he pursued an undergraduate degree in Engineering at UCLA. Still, his love for music remained strong as he continued to play in both the band and marching band throughout his college years. Frank's pivotal turning point came during his trips to the Aspen Music Festival, where he studied clarinet and honed his saxophone skills under the mentorship of Gary Gray. These experiences laid the foundation for a significant decision—turning away from engineering to fully commit to music. After securing a technical sales job in engineering, Frank quickly realized that it wasn’t the right fit for him. This epiphany prompted a major shift in his life, leading him to USC to study clarinet under the legendary Yehuda Gilad. During his pursuit of doctoral studies at UC Santa Barbara, where he reached the "all but dissertation" stage, Frank confronted the harsh reality: securing university music education jobs was just as competitive as a professional performing career. But fate had more in store for Frank. A random call from fellow clarinetist and repair technician Chris French changed everything. Chris was seeking a qualified repair technician to take over a position he was vacating, and Frank saw this as an unexpected opportunity. He embraced the chance to learn repair techniques, which ultimately led him to run the repair shop for Big Valley Music—an integral part of his career. Today, Frank Silva boasts a versatile and fulfilling career in music, seamlessly blending performance, education, and instrument repair. His journey reflects resilience and dedication, showing us that success comes in many forms. We’re incredibly fortunate that Frank has chosen to devote his life to music, enriching the lives of those around him through his diverse talents. Join us as we delve deeper into Frank's remarkable journey, exploring the moments that shaped his career, the challenges he faced, and the music that continues to inspire him. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights, anecdotes, and the genuine passion of a musician who truly embodies the essence of following one’s dreams.