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Rick Greene Celebrates 55 Years With the ESO

Rick Greene Celebrates 55 Years With the ESO

Rick Greene’s big sister was a horn player and music major at St. Olaf College, so it was no surprise he followed in her footsteps. Rick started horn lessons in fifth grade and when it was clear that he loved the instrument, his father bought him his own horn. “Learn to play that well,” his father said, “and you’ll be playing for a lifetime.” Prophetic words indeed!

After graduation, Rick taught music for two years, then was drafted and assigned to the 7th Army’s symphony orchestra in Germany. His audition was Beethoven’s 7th Symphony in a live concert—with no rehearsal! He aced it!

After the army, Rick had several different positions in music and business, finally retiring as business manager for a small manufacturer. During all these years, music has been his constant, steady underpinning, whether singing in several prominent Chicago-area choirs or playing in bands and orchestras.

Rick was initially drawn to the ESO because of its quality under conductor Frank Miller, fabled principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony, quality that has continued under current music director, Lawrence Eckerling. One of Rick’s favorite memories from his early years in the ESO is a 1971 concert under Miller with famed Hungarian cellist János Starker playing Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor. After intently listening to each section of the orchestra during the dress rehearsal, Starker said, “I just came from playing with the Detroit Symphony. I would much rather be here.”

Thank you, Rick, for your 55 years of wonderful music with the ESO!

Rick Greene

Rick Greene