Dana Green, Orchestra

The arrival of Dana Green in 2004 began a new era of excitement and possibilities for orchestra students at Naperville North. Because of his infectious enthusiasm, students have been able to see orchestral music in a different light. And the growth in the number of students involved in orchestra is tribute to Mr.Green’s popularity.

Primarily a violinist, Mr.Green graduated from DePaul University where he studied music education. Along with his involvement with the District 203 programs, Mr. Green conducts the Sinfonia Orchestra of the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra and occasionally plays with area orchestras.

Q&A with Brian Dana Green

I know your primary instrument is the violin. Why did you pick that as a kid? What is your favorite type of music to play?

I originally thought I had picked the viola. It was not until perhaps 6 months down the line did anyone bother to correct me and inform me that my instrument was the violin. This was extremely emotionally jarring for my 5 year mind to reconcile...I suppose I am still a little bitter. I think my favorite music to play is baroque. It is an awful lot of fun and I am quite interested in the time in history when most baroque music was composed.

Tell us about your personal performance – you as a musician – highlights (so far):

I thoroughly enjoyed playing on stage at Symphony Center with the DePaul Symphony Orchestra. We performed Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony paired with a wonderfully complex piece by Penderecki. I loved the music and the forum was beyond compare.

What five pieces of music will always be on your iPod?

This is a tough question for me to answer as my reply is ever changing. In this particular moment:

• Bemsha Swing, performed by Miles Davis
• Trio, Op. 67, Shostakovich
• Music for 18 Musicians, Reich
• J'ai dormi sous l'eau, Air
• In Your Own Sweet Way, Brubeck playing Brubeck

What musician -- living or dead -- would you most like to meet?

I think it would be fantastic and unnerving to sit down and chat with Yoyo Ma. He is obviously a fantastic musician and seems genuinely affable. Also, I think he is a patient enough man and a good enough teacher to slow his brain down long enough to enable me to understand what he is saying while he is saying it.

Best less-than-10-words piece of advice for a student musician?

Never forget why you choose to play.