Ryan Sedgwick

Orchestra Member

Instrument

Horns

Asst. Principal

Year Joined

2009

Most memorable performance with the ESO

We play such great repertoire—it is so difficult to narrow it down to just one. However, not surprisingly as a horn player, I was really excited to have the opportunity to play Mahler’s Fourth Symphony several years ago. After years of learning the excerpts, it was rewarding to finally hear and play everything in context.

Favorite ESO soloist

Michelle Areyzaga. Singers teach us how to play our instruments better!

Why I like playing with the ESO

The ESO is special, because it is so hard to find a community orchestra with the breadth of membership and avid concert-goers that allow for the repertoire we perform. It’s unusual to play in a volunteer group that has both a full stage and house! Plus, we get to play great music with great people without the added stress and pressure of having it be our jobs.

Favorite composer or piece

I judge a piece by its ability to bring me to tears. Some at the top of the list are Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Sixth Movement; Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Prelude to Act III; Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra; and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Children’s Prayer (duet) and Dream Sequence from Act II.

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

Either fundraising and planning for Northwestern’s 10th, 25th, 35th and 40th Reunions; playing with the Northshore Concert Band; drinking endless amounts of Diet Coke; and/or petting my cats during episodes of Family Guy or House Hunters (instead of reading a good book); all the while wishing I was travelling the world.

Something most people don’t know about me

I have two different colored eyes. One green (from my mom) and one blue (from my dad).