Student Profile: Christian Santos, Concerto Competition Winner
Christian Santos, a 2024 winner of Northwestern's Concerto Competition, recently sat down for an interview about his upcoming concert. Christian will be playing Joseph Schwantner's Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra with the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.
What first sparked your interest in music, and what was it about percussion that made it your instrument of choice?
I owe my whole musical journey to my mom (and her creative thought process!). She told me that I didn’t do too much crawling as a baby, and she wanted to proactively improve my upper-body coordination. Having always been fond of music, she signed me up for drum set lessons when I was 4 years old. I totally fell in love with the drums, but in middle school I discovered that I enjoyed learning all of the other percussion instruments! I soon began studying privately with Bill Ruyle and taking percussion more seriously.
As you move forward in your musical career, what aspects of your time at Bienen do you think will stay with you the most?
At Bienen, I am continuously amazed by my studiomates and peers who not only excel as musicians, but as scholars and good people. Everyone who surrounds me here has left an impression that will last a long time.
How did you prepare for your performance of Joseph Schwantner's concerto? Have you personalized this piece to make it your own?
I began working on the Schwantner Percussion Concerto in the fall of 2023 for a competition outside of school. I didn’t even come close to advancing! But, my teachers, She-e Wu and Chris Lamb, helped me become aware of how much thought and musical energy was required to bring the piece to life! The concerto features a cadenza at the end of the third movement, which is completely improvised. I tried to keep the improvisational quality while using themes from the other movements to stay true to the piece.
Do you have any musical influences that shape your playing? What's your favorite piece of music?
I am grateful to have many people who have shaped my thoughts surrounding music. Professor She-e Wu opened my mind to how crucial it is that we close the gap between being great percussionists and relatable musicians. I owe my obsession with finding good tone to Duncan Patton. Every single note he plays is pure and just beautiful. Finally, I will always hear my former marimba teacher, Eriko Daimo, shouting “sing!!” and to play “like water.”
Can you share a memorable experience that had an impact on your development as a musician?
In my last lesson with Kyle Zerna, I played a difficult marimba solo for him—a flashy showpiece. He then asked me to imagine, “What would Christian 15 or 20 years from now do differently? Where is there room for maturity?” This alone completely reshaped how I approach music and daily life.
What's something most people don't know about you that they should?
I love watching true crime documentaries and learning about the psychology of interrogations!!!
Who has been your biggest source of inspiration or support in your musical career so far?
As I stated earlier, I owe absolutely everything to my mother. Growing up, I’ve become more aware of the countless sacrifices that she has made so that my sister and I can grow up to the be people we want to be. She is all of the music in my heart.
Is there anything about your musical path, this particular performance, or your artistic vision that you feel is important to share?
Admittedly, there are many times where I find it difficult to perform with honesty. I worry too much about what could sound, or look better—especially as a percussionist. These things are important, but we should never forget that this form of art fosters a very special human interaction. Musicians have the opportunity to share an intimate moment with complete strangers, and there should be nothing less than honesty on the table. I aspire to trust everything I know and make genuine music with the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra for this performance.