The Venice Symphony

A professional orchestra in Southwest Florida offering a variety of concerts and educational programs

My account
item(s) -
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

  • Home
  • CONCERTS & EVENTS
    • 2022-23 CONCERT SEASON
    • 2023 PATRIOTIC POPS & FIREWORKS
    • 2022-23 PRE-CONCERT TALKS
    • 2023 SYMPHONY BALL
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
    • PAST EVENTS
      • 2022 SYMPHONY BRUNCH
      • SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE SYMPHONY
      • 21-22 PRE-CONCERT TALKS
      • BRUNCH WITH BEETHOVEN
      • 2022 SYMPHONY BALL
  • ABOUT
    • MUSIC DIRECTOR: TROY QUINN
    • CONCERTMASTER: MARCUS RATZENBOECK
    • THE MUSICIANS
    • HISTORY & MISSION
    • BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    • SYMPHONY STAFF
  • SUPPORT
    • DONATE TO THE VENICE SYMPHONY
    • CREATE A LEGACY
    • ANNUAL GIVING LEVELS
    • SPONSOR AN EVENT
    • OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
    • ADVERTISE WITH THE SYMPHONY
  • GET INVOLVED
    • JOIN THE CHAIR SOCIETY
    • JOIN THE FRIENDS
    • HOST A MUSICIAN
  • EDUCATION
    • VENICE SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
    • SYMPHONY IN THE SCHOOLS
    • SUMMER MUSIC CAMP 2022
    • ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
  • YOUR VISIT
    • TICKETING POLICIES
    • DISCOUNTS & GROUP SALES
    • VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
    • HEALTH AND SAFETY & EVENT FAQ
    • ADVERTISERS & DINING PARTNERS
  • NEWS & MEDIA
    • YOUTUBE CHANNEL
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • MEDIA COVERAGE
    • PHOTO GALLERY
  • CONTACT
    • MAILING LIST SIGNUP

Christopher Riley – Principal Double Bass

November 3, 2022 by sharyn

Principal Double Bass Christopher Riley is a Symphony veteran, about to start his ninth year with the orchestra. Christopher is also in his third year as Venice High School’s Orchestra Director, and previously taught music and directed the orchestra at Woodland and Venice Middle Schools in Sarasota County. In his “spare time” Christopher is a freelance musician, performing in Symphony chamber ensembles and throughout Florida.

Music education has been good to Christopher as it is how he met his wife Teresa, also a music teacher. He and Teresa are also on the faculty of the Venice Symphony’s Summer Music Camp and Christopher played an important part in the early years of The Venice Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Christopher Riley was born in Seoul, South Korea on a U.S. military base and his family moved around frequently throughout his childhood, including spending seven years in Italy. Christopher began studying piano at the age of eight, and picked up the violin in fourth grade. Two instruments weren’t enough for Christopher who also played trumpet in middle school in Italy.

His family relocated to Brandon, Florida and Christopher attended and graduated from Riverview High School. He said that’s when “I decided to “leisurely” play bass in the orchestra program. It was then that I rediscovered my love for making music with an ensemble and how much music has impacted my life.” While he continued playing piano, when it came to narrowing his focus down to one instrument in college, double bass won.  

Christopher received a music education degree from Florida Southern College while studying bass with Michael Hill, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and principal bassist of Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. He went on to receive his master’s degree in music performance from University of South Florida under the direction of Dee Moses, principal bassist of Florida Orchestra.

After years of moving from place to place, Christopher is happy to have settled down in North Port with Teresa and their three-year-old daughter, who to nobody’s surprise is already showing a flair for music.

When asked Christopher to share his most memorable moment with The Venice Symphony and he didn’t hesitate. “It has to be in 2019 when I had the opportunity to play the bass solo from Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Movement III. I feel extremely lucky to have had the chance to perform this solo twice in concert during my career as a musician. The performance with The Venice Symphony will be one I will never forget.”

But when asked the concert he’s looking forward to the most, that wasn’t as easy. “I look forward to every concert series with the Venice Symphony,” said Christopher, adding “I hope to see everyone there!”

Christopher Riley’s Chair in the orchestra is sponsored by John Myers

Filed Under: Musician Spotlight Tagged With: bass, concert, Musician, symphony, Venice

Upcoming Events

  1. Single Tickets and Online Sales

    August 15, 2022 @ 10:00 am - April 22, 2023 @ 4:00 pm
  2. Noche Unidos With Mariachi Cobre and The Venice Symphony

    April 28 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

View All Events

Latest News

  • Hannah MacLean: Violin
  • Susan Debronsky: Cello
  • The Venice Symphony Ball: Imagine is Feb. 18 at Plantation Golf and Country Club

COMMUNITY PARTNERS & SPONSORS

  • WUSF Logo
  • Englewood Chamber of Commerce
  • Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
  • Cultural Florida
  • Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Logo

YOUTUBE

CONTACT

700 U.S. Highway 41
Bypass North
Suite 4
Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 207-8822

ABOUT US

Founded in 1974, The Venice Symphony has become the pride of South Sarasota County by providing cultural enrichment for residents and visitors.
. . . READ MORE

QUICK LINKS

Concert Schedule
Concert Venue
Support the Symphony
Music Education
Mailing List
  • TripAdvisor
COPYRIGHT © 2017–2023 • The Venice Symphony • Created By: Brand Eleven Eleven • All Rights Reserved.