Ralph Wilder

Orchestra Member

Instrument

Clarinet

Principal

Year Joined

2006

Most memorable performance with the ESO

As soloist with the orchestra in the Calandrelli Concerto for Jazz Clarinet and Orchestra in May 2007. Also when we performed Rhapsody in Blue — of course!

Favorite ESO soloist

Irina Muresanu

Why I like playing with the ESO

The ESO has given me the opportunity to perform world-class music with excellent colleagues and a superb conductor.

Favorite composer or piece

Tchaikovsky 4th and 5th symphonies and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

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

Teaching woodwinds at North Park University, directing the Mt. Prospect Community Band, playing weddings with my “party band” and planning my next trip somewhere.

Something most people don’t know about me

I love travel adventure. I took my Community Band to Italy this past summer and we performed three concerts.