Thomas Collum

Instrument

Violin

When did you start playing your instrument?

Age 8.

Do you play in any other musical groups?

I play in a quartet with other LSO members and I also am taking private lessons with Marc Rovetti of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Do you come from a musical family?

Kinda sorta. My mom was a pianist but hasn’t played for many years. But she did used to play classical music into her belly while she was pregnant with me, so I came out primed for classical music.

Does the instrument you play on have a story?

I play an 1883 J.B. Collin-Mezin, which according to Reuning & Sons, is one of the best examples they’ve seen from his “golden period”. Collin-Mezin was an Officier de l’Académie des Beaux-Arts and won gold and silver medals at the Paris Exhibitions in 1878, 1889, and 1900. Several very famous past violinists have performed on his instruments, such as Joseph Joachim and Marie Tayau. I used to play a rehabed 1775 Tomasso Carcassi, but the Collin-Mezin is better balanced between registers and has a warm and powerful sound.

Are you originally from Lansdowne/Philadelphia?

No. I was born and grew up in Ithaca, NY, where I stayed to attend Cornell University. I moved to Philadelphia in June, 2014 after graduating and getting a job with PKF Consulting.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Captain Obvious.