James Francis wins place at Cambridge University

Congratulations to Chineke! Junior Orchestra double bassist James Francis, who has won a place to study Music and Theology at the University of Cambridge!

James played the double bass at the very first Chineke! Junior Orchestra concert at Southbank Centre’s Clore Ballroom in 2015, and he’s come a long way since then. We caught up with James to hear about his journey so far and the choices and opportunities he has encountered along the way.

What made you decide to apply to Cambridge University?

I am a first-study double bass player - as a music scholar at school, personally the expectation was to study music at university. For a long time, this also was very appealing to me as a premise, as I enjoy academic music, alongside my own passion for composition. However, as lockdown started, I began to think about how I would most like to spend the next three to four years. However, I have had a concurrent passion for theology, and have wanted to pursue it at some point, whilst also balancing my passion for music. I finally decided that Cambridge was the best compromise between music and theology, as I could study theology whilst still being involved in the choir and chamber music, maintaining my strong passion for music whilst also pursuing theology.

I was told by one of my teachers that my track record academically meant that I was not likely to get into Cambridge, and was strongly dissuaded from applying. From my own perspective however, as this pressure was being put on me (perhaps by myself more than others) to pursue music rather than theology, I decided that I would go for Cambridge for theology as best I can, and if it didn't work out, then it wasn't meant to be.

Simultaneously to my Cambridge application, I also applied to the Royal College of Music, as I did not at all expect to get into Cambridge, and wished in the same vein as Cambridge to try my best, and hopefully be accepted to one. For the College, I had to submit a recording two contrasting pieces, whilst for Cambridge, I had to submit one essay alongside my personal statement. Once I found out I was invited to interview, I continued to read up around the books I mentioned in my personal statement, whilst continuing to do general theological research.

The interview itself was much less intense than I thought it would be, as both of my interviewers were really kind, and allowed for my long pauses to come up with coherent responses to their questions. After submitting my RCM recordings, and completing the interview, it was merely a wait to hear back from both institutions.

I heard that I had received a BAME scholarship from the Royal College in December in the winter break of 2020, and was completely ecstatic. I then had the realisation that there was a possibility that I may need to choose between Cambridge and the Royal College, of which terrified me. My older brother goes to the college, so I am aware of the amount of fun and musical exploration available. It wasn't until January that I heard from King's College Cambridge that they would like to offer me a place for theology. I was in utter disbelief, in the knowledge that 6 months prior a teacher had told me that it was almost not worth applying.

Making the decision between these two institutions was both surreal and heart-breaking. I never expected to be making such a decision, as I didn't prepare to get into both institutions. After a lot of deliberating, I decided to choose Cambridge as my first choice, and allow for the College to be my second choice.

What are you most looking forward to during your time at university?

I am most looking forward to simply being in a different environment, and all that entails. I am excited to having more personal responsibility, meeting new people, finding a new work-life dynamic, and being challenged academically in a way I haven't experienced before.

What does it mean to you to win this place?

I completely cherish this opportunity I have been offered at Cambridge. I never imagined it would be possible, and I am so excited to be challenged and to (hopefully) mature in such an environment!

How will this period of training impact on your future career path?

Personally, I have no clue what career path I wish to go down. I would like to think that I would go into the music industry in some way, or perhaps have concurrent job paths. I would like to think that this period in my life would lend me more to the development of my identity and interests more than simply gaining a bachelor’s in theology.

To what extent has music shaped your identity and development as an individual?

I feel that being a musician is integral to my identity at this point. It is what I spend a great portion of my time thinking and engaging with, and has been the gateway to some of my best experiences. I also think that music lends itself to my degree, as abstract analysis and intuition I think is integral to being both a musician and a theologian. 

What is it about the double bass that appeals to you above other instruments?

For me, the appeal of the double bass is it's versatility as an instrument. In orchestral music, it is mainly foundational, and I probably find this responsibility as a musician one of the most exciting. In solo playing, due to the size of the instrument, a lot of practice lends itself to abstract problem solving (in terms of navigating the instrument) whilst prioritising the most amount of musicianship in intonation, intuition, tone, dynamics, and much more. Furthermore, outside of the classical sphere, it can hop genres from Jazz Fusion to Pop music.

How has being involved with Chineke! Influenced your musical development? How does it differ from other youth ensemble groups?

I am so grateful for Chineke! allowing for the exposure to minority musicians and composers that I perhaps wouldn't come across otherwise. The experience of performing the music of the likes of Coleridge-Taylor alongside other like-minded musicians to me is so special, and also stands as a great responsibility to each other as musicians.

What would your advice be to other young musicians like yourself looking to study at a higher level? What would you say to encourage them?

I would say to get involved in as much as you can. I almost never say no to new musical experiences, and it is by being exposed to many different experiences and environments that you develop your musicianship and get used to the professionalism and simply the joy of playing music, both on your own and with other musicians. The more you expand your horizons as a musician, the greater opportunities are able to become available to you.