Greg Flint, Principal French Horn
When did you begin to play your instrument?
In the 4th grade. It was going to be the horn, or the oboe. Luckily, my aunt and uncle had an old horn that was not being used in their attic. It stuck with me right away.
Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?
I started with Anna Cloud (formerly of the Seattle Symphony) when we lived in Seattle. In Wenatchee, Washington, I studied with Glenn Kelly (conductor) and Verne Windham (principal horn of the Spokane Symphony). At Northwestern University I studied with Richard Oldberg and Dale Clevenger, both of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
When did you join ESO?
I officially joined the ESO around 2000.
What other orchestras have you played with/do you play with now?
My main orchestral experience outside of the ESO has been with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Santa Fe Opera orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet orchestra, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago orchestra. I have also played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, and the Key West Symphony. (I like working in warmer climates. 🙂)
What was your most memorable ESO performance?
There have been many, but if I were to pick one, it would be our performance of “Ghost Ranch” by Michael Daugherty. The piece was new to me, by a composer I really admire (who was in the audience for Saturday night’s performance), and the piece prominently featured the outstanding ESO horn section.
What are some of your interests, and how are you passing the time?
I am the horn professor at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, so my big consuming passion is working with music students, and the study of brass pedagogy. Teaching online has been an interesting challenge, but like any creative endeavor, I think it’s much more effective and satisfying in “real life”.
I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction, and am getting much more of that in now, along with horn practicing, and learning new repertoire. Traveling is also a love of mine, but right now that consists of many walks around our neighborhood in Wauwatosa, WI.
My wife Karen is a fine pianist and horn player (she often plays with the ESO), and my daughters play trombone (Zoe) and viola (Kate). It is an interesting combination of instruments, and we are hoping to become more of an online musical presence soon 🙂. We are also preparing a program for hospital patients and staff.
Wishing everyone good health, and strength during these difficult times.
