Francis Fawkes - Bahamian Classical Pianist

Francis Fawkes

Francis Fawkes - Bahamian Concert Pianist At the age of 12, Francis was already a persistent winner in the Music Festival for piano playing. As early as 1964, “his articulation of fast notes; his delineation of staccato and legato; his handling of various dynamic levels and beautiful tone throughout” was noticed by the adjudicator of the Royal Schools of Music as he singled him out as a student of great potential.

A year later, Francis gave a command performance before Princess Alice, the then Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Three years later, he was to journey to Freeport, Grand Bahama to perform by request for the renowned concert pianist Withold Malcuzinski, one of the world’s foremost exponents of the music of Frédéric Chopin. He recognized his talent.

Francis received his early musical training from Mrs. Gloria Lockhart, Mrs. Meta Davis Cumberbatch and E. Clement Bethel. It was they who recognized his potential and offered him opportunities for exposure. At the age of 14, Francis accepted an invitation to spend two summers at the National Music Camp in Michigan, a meeting place for gifted children from America and other parts of the world. It was there that he was introduced to Van Clibun by E. Clement Bethel. He also heard other keyboard celebrities at the time who inspired him to excellence.

In June 1967, when the call went out to the Regency Hotel in New York for Bahamians abroad to return home and become involved in the national building process, Francis was there playing Chopin.

In 1970, while attending the Jamaica School of music as a student he won first place in the Open House Competition.

Upon Francis' return home, he gave a recital of classical music. He ran the gamut from Bach to Debussy before as overflowing and appreciative audience in the spacious St. Mary’s Hall. The Tribune’s critic acclaimed the pianist as “an artist with great sensitivity of style and a formidable technique.” In London, in 1972 Francis auditioned for entrance into the Royal Academy of Music. His mentors were Guy Johnson and Sidney Harrison. In 1976, he completed his studies and received his credentials in music with an emphasis in piano performance.

On his return to Nassau, Francis taught in the private schools in addition to giving piano lessons at his studio situated at 115 J.F.K. Drive. During the summers of 1979 to 1982 at the University of Maryland, Francis had further exposure to the seminars and master classes of celebrated pianists such as Leon Fletcher, George Bolet, Louis Kentner and several other celebrities. It was there that he expanded his repertoire and his worldview. He also performed and studied in the University of Hartford, Connecticut in 1987. Later on that same year, he performed in Atlanta in a special ceremony held in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For this he received a standing ovation.

In 1987, he took up an appointment with the Ministry of Education and Culture. In his capacity, he became the official accompanist for the National School of Dance (1988-2004). He also has been the piano accompanist for the National Arts Festival where he was instrumental in the increased choral and solo instrumental performances. Since 1993, Mr. Fawkes became a member of the first committee to spearhead the music BGCSE examination. At present he is the Chief Paper Setter / Administrator. He is also the head of the Cultural Resource Center at the Department of Culture on Dean's Lane, Fort Charlotte.

He has also been the accompanist for Dance World and Bahamas Dance Theatre for the Royal Academy of Dancing Examinations.

However, his main contributions to the Cultural landscape of the Bahamas are the timeless piano classics for which he is widely recognized. He has been noted for his outstanding performances with the Police Band; the YWCA and other organizations. His live piano recitals have earned him dazzling reviews. His Quincentennial piano recital was regarded by one of the newspapers as a “landmark event.”

He has been seen on national television performing the most challenging pieces in the piano repertoire. There were broadcasted performances of the virtuoso works aired in 1987, 1989. In 1994, these works were put into slots and played repeatedly thereby enhancing the appreciation of classical music nationally. It was written of Mr. Fawkes in the Tribune column Tele Talk that “he performs with bravura to show that he understands musical drama and finishes up the moment with fine striking power.”

At present, he still continues his Christian ministry with a slant towards the classics. He has been a regular Sunday School Teacher at Carmichael Bible church 2001 -2007 and the author of one book The Art of Playing the Piano and a CD: Great Piano Favourites Francis has also written newspaper columns for The Nassau Guardian and The Tribune which have been compiled in a book called Christian Perspectives. Recently, he has completed an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies awarded by Vision University in California. In November 2007, he went on to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Psychology and Counseling with Honours from Destiny Christian University in Florida.