Featured April 2023

Performing music teaches this life lesson: the best seats are on stage

“Unlike the talented and lovely musicians of our orchestra, I didn’t have a life of lessons or pursue a music degree. I just never set down my instrument.” Christian’s musical journey began in fifth grade. “Faced with the choice of band or choir, I wanted to play an instrument. However, after the two years of piano lessons that little kids get, I was convinced I had slow fingers. That ruled out all instruments except the shoulder-mounted slide whistle.”

“To continue playing after high school, I either needed to build the high range of the tenor trombone or specialize on a more obscure instrument. I couldn’t get the high notes at the time, so my parents gave me a bass trombone for graduation.”

In college, Christian fell in love with the band Jethro Tull and spent a summer learning the flute. “Turns out my fingers aren’t so slow after all.” He played flute for experimental rock bands Thetans and Order of the Golden Mirror. “They were loads of fun.”

He helped start the Backyard Brass during the coronavirus pandemic. “While bored in 2020, I was brainstorming safe, productive things to do. Brass are outdoor instruments, not civilized chamber instruments. (The word trombone is never used in polite society.) We can even perform outside! I gathered some symphony brass players and made a few new friends to
assemble a brass quintet. We rehearsed in each other’s backyards. We couldn’t hold a public gathering, but we could play for assisted care facilities. We’ve since played for a school, Christmas events, and Oktoberfest.”

With the VSA Orchestra since 2012, Christian loves the rehearsals. “It’s the opportunity to make mistakes and grow with the music. The pieces you love become your friends. You find new favorites.”