One World Symphony = Our Artists = Profiles = Ed Rodriguez

Birth Place: San Antonio

Education: BS and PhD in Chemistry, University of Texas; Masters in Library Science, University of Chicago Current Residence: Woodside, NY

1. Are any of your family members musicians? If so, what do they do?
My second son plays acoustic guitar and electric bass guitar and sings. He has performed with a local rock group in various bars around town. He's not currently active with a group.

2. What has been the highlight of your One World Symphony career to date?
Singing Carmen memorized in French!!

3. What would you say is your favorite piece of music?
That depends on mood, so I have many favorites. Some examples (in no significant order) are:
Bach: Cantata 19, Magnificat, St. John Passion; Poulenc: Stabat Mater; Bernstein: Mass and Chichester Psalms; Bloch: Sacred Service; some Broadway musicals: A Chorus Line, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof; Brittain: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; Anonymous: Play of Herod (Medieval musical drama); PDQ Bach: The Seasonings; anything by Michael Praetorius; Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet; Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah; almost any English madrigal (more so than Italian). I'm sure there are others, but this will do for now.

4. What's the best thing about One World Symphony?
The opportunity to interact closely with all members of a performance including conductor, rehearsal accompanist, orchestra members, soloists, and other vocalists.

...And the worst moment (if any)?
Can't really think of anything that qualifies as "worst" unless it was that very hot (weather) performance of Fideleo/Faust. That wasn't caused by OWS.

5. What music do you listen to in the car or subway?
Car: WQXR; subway: usually what I'm currently preparing for an up-coming performance.

6. What is your favorite drink?
That has changed often over the years. Currently, based on volume consumed, I'd have to say "water." But I do like an occassional Yuengling Black and Tan beer or a screwdriver.

7. What was the most recent book you read?
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

8. When you do have some free time, how do you relax?
Several possibilities, again depending on mood. The possibilities are: read, work on crossword or sudoku puzzles, work on a fiber craft project (weaving, knitting, crocheting), take a nap.

9. If you had the opportunity to time travel, when and where would you prefer to live?
I would go about 100 years in the future to New York City.

10. If you weren't a musician what would you be?
I would be an unhappy computer geek.

11. Why would you recommend to other musicians and public to participate with One World Symphony?
I would describe what I said for question 4 plus indicate that the conductor has this knack of pulling together a diverse collection of competent musicians and bringing out the best they can do which produces spectacular results. It's a musical experience that's hard to match.

12. What are your hobbies?
I do fiber crafts -- weaving, knitting, crocheting.