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Double Bassist Christopher Kondrath shares his musical background and involvement with the ESO...
How did you get involved with ESO and how long have you played with the orchestra?
This is my 17th season with ESO.
What instrument do you play and how did you get started playing?
I switched from violin to double bass in 7th grade and also started playing the electric bass. This is my 58th year as a professional bassist.
What piece is on your ‘Bucket List’ and why?
As far as music is concerned, I’d like to play anything by Mozart or Beethoven.
Professional Bio
COMMERCIAL and TEACHING EXPERIENCE includes work as session musician, associate professorship, instructor and music director of theater at the university level, and private instructor.
- Session musician for Capitol Records
- Session musician for ABC Specials
- Associate Professor Northern Illinois University
- Associate Instructor of strings, Area VI Community College, Marshalltown, Iowa
- Music Director of Theater, University of Northern Iowa and Area VI Community College
- Private Instruction on Double Bass, Electric Bass, and Classical Guitar
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC includes guest performances and associate principal and principal chair positions with seven orchestras in the midwest.
- Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Bassist
- Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Principal,
- Salt Creek Sinfonietta, Guest Principal Bassist
- DuPage Symphony Orchestra, Guest Bassist
- Wheaton Symphony and Wheaton Chamber Orchestra, Assistant Principal
- Central Iowa Community Symphony, Principal Bassist
- Des Moines Symphony, substitute Principal Bassist
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN CONTEMPORARY, BLUES AND JAZZ with numerous great performers including:
Bassist with Earl Hooker, Peabo Bryson, Fabulous Flippers, Commander Cody, The Flock, Zach Brock, Drama Junkies, Have You Any Blues Band, Jeff Marshall Experience, Buddy Miles, Ronnie Rice, Michael Anthony, Ronnie Laas, Stray Bolts, Fabulous Bone Daddies, Ward Brown and Brown's Bag, and Elmore James Jr and the Broomdusters.
PLAYING STYLE
Trained classical and professional orchestral musician. Jazz/fusion, progressive bass chording and finger style. Rhythm and Blues, Delta fingerstyle, Willie Dixon double bass style, to multi-tempo walking line in Chicago style blues. Contemporary progressive rock ‘n roll with multi-genre influences including fusion.
You can gather more info from my website christopherkondrath.com