Christopher Hills

Orchestra Member

Instrument

Clarinet

Year Joined

2003

Most memorable performance with the ESO

Roman Festivals by Respighi

Favorite ESO soloist

There are so many, but one of the most memorable for me was when Lawrence Eckerling did “double duty” by conducting Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue from the piano serving as both conductor and piano soloist.

Why I like playing with the ESO

It’s a great orchestra with lots of energy, focus, musicianship and perhaps most importantly super colleagues with whom to make music. I love the work ethic involved in rehearsals. I love the variety of repertoire we get to play. As a clarinet player I have also cherished the opportunities to explore my skills playing the Eb clarinet and finally, unlike many other orchestras I have played with, the ESO rehearsals and performances are only 1 mile from my house!

Favorite composer or piece

A favorite piece that we have performed was Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. Two other “favorite” piece’s that I would like to have the opportunity to play would be Stravinsky’s Symphony in C and Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie.

When I’m not playing with the ESO, I’m…

I own and operate a small business teaching instrumental and choral music in private and parochial schools throughout the Chicagoland area. Time permitting, I like to get out on a golf course and chase the little white ball around.

Something most people don’t know about me

I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist.