Chris Butler, a native of North Carolina, has been a member of the Memphis Symphony since the 2007-2008 season. His studies include a high school diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts, Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University and a Master of Music from Indiana University.
His musical career has taken him all around the world, including the Greensboro Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festival USA, June in Buffalo, Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, American Opera Theater and Alabama Symphony. Outside of the US his travels have taken him to France, Germany, Spain, Japan and China.
Some facts about Chris:
His hobbies: Reading, eating good food, watching other people sing karaoke
If you hadn't been a musician, what would you have done for a career? I actually tried to go back to school for Computer Science but I failed miserably and came straight back to music. When I was younger I was interested in psychology and business.
Favorite books: Anything I can get my hands on.
Favorite Memphis restaurant: Central Barbeque
Favorite vacation (dream or real): Never been to Italy before. Let's go.
Worst non-musical job he's held: Telemarketing for Reader's Digest.
Most influential teacher: Jack Budrow from Michigan State and Ali U. Nardali, J.D.
Earliest musical memory: Playing a piano recital down an octave from what was written on the page. Guess it was meant to be! I also remember quitting piano because I was missing my favorite cartoon, Transformers.
Favorite composers: Brahms and R. Strauss, though I really do love most of them.
What do you listen to in the car? Usually anything but Classical, but I pop some in every once in a while.
What do you enjoy most about performing? The thrill of that one point in the piece that makes me want to burst out of my skin. That makes everything worth it.
Besides performing great music, what is the symphony's most important role? Engaging the community and exposing classical music to people who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to know it.
Is there anything we forgot to ask? You forgot to ask me how I'm doing, but I'll forgive you this time.
