After working for most of his lifetime in the classical music industry, it only makes sense cellist Ian Hampton would have enough experience and insight to publish a novel outlining his career.

So that鈥檚 exactly what he did last spring.

After a couple book launches and readings last year, Hampton鈥檚 first and only novel Jan in 35 Pieces was nominated and shortlisted for the 2019 RBC Taylor Prize鈥揳n award that commemorates Charles Taylor鈥檚 excellence in literary non-fiction.

鈥淚 thought I鈥檇 try and write a book that described a musician鈥檚 life. Something that the layman could perhaps understand. The trouble with music though is that it鈥檚 abstract. It鈥檚 difficult to say why this piece is good, or why you love it,鈥� explained Hampton.

Hampton, along with four other shortlisted Canadian authors will head to Ontario at the end of February to speak at a round table, and do book signings. The award winner will be announced on Monday, Mar. 4.

鈥淭he publisher told me [or] I wouldn鈥檛 know,鈥� laughed Hampton, who said he鈥檚 鈥渁stonished,鈥� by the nomination.

鈥淸I鈥檓] overwhelmed, if not positively terrified.鈥�

, the winner will receive $25,000 and an invite to read at the International Festival of Authors in October in Toronto.

Hampton, who is the emeritus artistic director at the 91原创 Community Music School, said he never composed much during his music career, and never anticipated he鈥檇 write a novel.

鈥淚 always thought I should be a composer, but of course, life intervenes and we all have to earn a living somehow.鈥�

During the time spent working on the book, Hampton noted some similarities between playing music and writing such as 鈥減laying around with words, [and] sentences.鈥�

Each chapter in Jan in 35 Pieces is titled after a piece of music, and the story line follows the life of Hampton, who goes by the name Jan in the book.

鈥淭here鈥檚 pieces I personally love,鈥� said Hampton about each chapters鈥� title.

Many pieces selected are associated with moments in Hampton鈥檚 life.

鈥淚 talk about my early years of training which was in war-time London, so I selected a piece which every student at that time had to play,鈥� he explained of one chapter.

鈥淭here鈥檚 various episodes throughout my life that act as the skeleton of this book. To some small degree I hope this book is a social history of music in the late 20th century. I鈥檓 very keen on social history, I find it very, very interesting. It鈥檚 a good thing to do.鈥�

Hampton began his music career in London, Eng., and after moving to Canada, was appointed the principal cellist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and of the CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra, among many other successes.

In 1979 he became principal of the LCMS, and now retired, continues to teach cello at the school.

For more information on Hampton and the LCMS visit: