Christopher White is the principal double bass of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra since 2014.
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Christopher White: bio
Education and early career
Christopher White, a native of Rhode Island, studied music at the University of Rhode Island under David Cobb before continuing his studies at the Manhattan School of Music, where he majored in Orchestral Performance. There, he studied with Timothy Cobb, the principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic. Early in his career, White was appointed principal bass of the New Bedford Symphony in Massachusetts in 1993 and held a section bass position in the Vermont Symphony.
New World Symphony
In 1996, White earned a prestigious position with the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. He served as co-principal bass, further honing his skills and expanding his experience in the orchestral world. His time with the New World Symphony was a key step in his professional development.
Virginia Symphony and principal role
In 1998, White joined the Virginia Symphony as assistant principal bass, and in 2014, he was appointed as the symphony’s principal bassist. His work with the orchestra includes notable solo performances, including Bottesini’s *Grand Duo Concertante* with violinist Pavel Ilyashov, and Stravinsky’s *A Soldier’s Tale* under the direction of JoAnn Falletta.
Grant Park Orchestra
Since 2000, White has also been a member of the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago, where he performs for 10 weeks each summer during the orchestra’s season at Millennium Park. His work there continues to build on his diverse and rich performance history.
Teaching and community engagement
In addition to his performance career, White is passionate about teaching. He serves as a double bass instructor at Old Dominion University and the Governor’s School for the Arts. Through the Virginia Symphony’s Community Engagement Program, White has performed for thousands of children, sharing his love of music with younger audiences. He also maintains a private teaching studio, fostering the next generation of double bass players.