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Ethan Epple gave us the scoop on his involvement with the ESO and how he got started...

How long have you played with ESO?

I have played in the ESO since 2012.

What instrument do you play and how did you gravitate to that instrument?

I play the viola. I switched from the violin during my junior year of high school and I never looked back. I had never much enjoyed playing the really high notes on the violin so the viola was a much better fit for me. I enjoy playing a supporting role in the orchestra and appreciate the melodic excerpts in the viola parts when they appear here and there. 

What piece is on your bucket list to play with ESO and why?

I have always loved Beethoven's 5th and would love to perform that sometime. Prokofiev's Suite from Romeo and Juliet is also one of my favorites. 

Biography

Ethan Epple has been teaching in the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 at Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan, IL for 11 years. Currently he teaches orchestra but has directed the bands, choirs, and orchestras and all extracurricular music activities for the school in the past including color guard, marching band, the Mariachi Ensemble, Chamber Strings, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. Prior experience includes teaching high school orchestra, middle school band, orchestra, and general music, and elementary band, orchestra, and general music in various locations.

Mr. Epple's educational experiences include a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Music Education degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago. He frequently serves as a church organist and musician and performs with the Glenview Band on the flute.