Operations Assistant – Sunday & Tuesday ensembles
Adrian Sanchez Rodriguez is a musician in the Chicago Area. Native to Merida, Venezuela, he moved to the United States in 2019 to pursue an undergraduate degree in Violin Performance – he holds said degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. In addition to his work with CYSO, Adrian is an active music educator, providing after-school violin classes to Chicago Public Schools elementary schools, as well as a performer, most recently engaging in the lines of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Along with his administrative, educational, and performing commitments, Adrian also holds a passion for Conducting and Composing, having pursued both areas during his undergraduate degree.
Who is your favorite composer and why?
Recently I have been in a Sibelius state of mind. I am finding enjoyment in listening to his Symphonic Works, String Quartet, and Violin Concerto (of course!). Some other composers I have been listening to recently are John Adams, Caroline Shaw, Osvaldo Golijov, Max Richter, and some other contemporary composers. Long time fan of Shostakovich, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Ravel, and Debussy. Also coming out of my headphones is music from movies, some of my current favorites are Alexandre Desplat, John Newton Howard and Colin Stetson. Outside of the classical/instrumental area, some of my favorite artists at the moment are Samara Joy, Thundercat, Alt-J, and Laufey.
What was the first ensemble you played in?
Back at home, way before I considered music as a career, I used to play in a baroque recorder ensemble. It was quite fun!
