Overture Magazine - 2015-2016 Season September-October 2015 | Page 46

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Hampton Childress
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL BASS

Reflecting on 33 Years with the BSO
It’s easy for BSO Associate Principal Bass
Hampton Childress to recall his first performance
with the BSO.
“It was in August 1982, the year that the Meyerhoff
was finished. We performed what was called a
‘hard hat’ concert. It was memorable because it
was dedicated to and performed for the people
who actually built the hall,” he recalls. “We were
all pretty high about it.” That first concert was
just the beginning of many highs for Childress
during his 33 years and counting as a BSO musician.
“The travel has been pretty great,” he says.
“We’ve been to Japan three times, Russia,
and East Germany. It was remarkable entering
countries that were previously closed off. I can
remember so many concerts in East Germany
where the audience just went nuts for us. They
treated us like rock stars.”
But it’s more than just the accolades that Childress
says makes performing music so rewarding. In
fact, it has been music and Childress’ role during
the founding of the BSO Governing Members
committee that helped forge some of the best
friendships of his life. “In the process of assisting
with fundraising and friendraising events, I found
deeper and more plentiful friendships than I’ve
had the rest of my life.”
For Childress, those other life interests often
involve the intersection of art and technology.
Whether it’s building sound systems that project
sound more cleanly or figuring out how computer
operating systems work, he finds the outlet of
technology a nice break. Even his love of cooking
is influenced by his penchant for technology.
“I’m quite fond of cooking. I have for the last few
years been interested in sous-vide,” says Childress
of the French cooking technique that means
“under vacuum.”

M ITRO H O O D

“Sous-vide cooking uses some fun kitchen tools.
And I also love making any food that requires
the use of a blow torch!” Plus, cooking up a great
spread of food provides the excuse to invite over
all of the friends he’s made during his rewarding
33 years with the BSO.

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