Horn
Dr. Raul Rodriguez, a Latin Grammy-winning Honduran-born French hornist, holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from SUNY Stony Brook. He performs with the National Symphonies of Honduras, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic and is a founding member of the Everglades Trio, touring regularly overseas. Based in Washington Heights NYC, he has played with the American Symphony Orchestra and toured nationally with Broadway productions like Wicked and Anastasia. A former faculty member at Florida International University and SUNY Stony Brook, Dr. Rodriguez is also a devoted educator. When not performing or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children at Bennett Park.
Meet Raul
At what age did you get involved with music?
With music in general at age 5 with the recorder… at 9 with violin, at 12 with horn and piano.
What do you enjoy about playing in a more intimate setting such as a chamber orchestra?
Playing in a chamber setting allows much more room for expression. Every voice matters and every gesture feels amplified. You’re not just blending into a large section (you’re constantly engaged in a conversation with your colleagues). The way you connect with the music and with your peers is on a different level (you listen more closely, breathe together, and create something very personal that still belongs to the group).
What is your secret to balancing hard work and discipline while keeping your passion alive?
My family is the secret. Music is great and I love it (it brings enormous pleasure). But having that sense of family embedded in my life keeps me grounded and sane. It helps me wind down and provides a balance that makes me a better musician when I return to work.
What is your favorite part about performing?
Seeing the audience enjoy what you’ve just given them. It’s like scoring a goal in the Soccer World Cup and making your people proud. That’s what I feel when I see audiences go home happy, renewed, and sometimes even transformed. The power of the performing arts is unmatched.
What music do you like to listen to outside of classical music?
Like a good chef who can cook anything, as a performing artist I know the struggles behind every style and genre. Because of that, I’m not selective (I listen to anything, and I appreciate everything).