Burr Ridge Teen to Perform 'Side-by-Side' with Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra

It takes a person with uncommon taste to love the viola, the violin’s larger, less glamorous sibling. And it takes a person with exceptional ability and dedication to master the intricacies of an instrument that doesn’t have a standard shape or size.

Seventeen-year-old Ben Wagner of Burr Ridge is such a person.

“I love the sound of the viola,” Wagner says, who has been playing the instrument since fifth grade.

“Everyone had to choose an instrument or be in choir,” recalls the senior at Timothy Christian High School. “I chose the viola because it seemed to be the least popular choice.”

Choosing the road less traveled has made all the difference for Wagner, who since that fateful decision seven years ago has become one of the most accomplished young violists in the area. He is the principal chair of the prestigious Protégé Philharmonic Youth Orchestra of Chicago and this year, took top honors at the Protégé Philharmonic Concerto Competition.

And Wagner will further his list of accomplishments this Sunday as he performs with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra at Northwestern University’s Pick-Staiger Hall as part of the orchestra’s “Side-by-Side” program, which matches talented young musicians like Wagner with a mentor from the orchestra.

“A student has a stand partner,” explains Donna Milanovich, the Chicago Philharmonic’s executive director. “That person gives them pointers. … It’s just like if you play tennis with someone great. You get better and get tips that help you improve.”

Milanovich says she heard Wagner perform with the Protégé Philharmonic, which led to Wagner’s invitation to participate in the “Side-by-Side” program.

“I was really excited when I found out,” Wagner says. “It really only took me five minutes to decide [to accept], mainly because I had to call my mom and get her permission first.”

Wagner will rehearse with the Chicago Philharmonic Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the concert, which begins at 7 p.m., offering them a peek into the lives of professional musicians.

“It can be very intense,” Milanovich says. “You have to practice a lot. You have to be a multi-tasker. You have to be a team player.”

Wagner says having the chance to learn from such outstanding musicians is “a once in a lifetime opportunity for a kid my age,” adding that he practices up to seven hours per day.

Indeed, only three young people will have the chance to perform with the orchestra Sunday as it presents Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 under the direction of conductor Larry Rachleff.

High aspirations

Wagner has decided to continue his viola studies this fall at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

“The main factor [in the decision] was the teacher that I will have for my next four years,” Wagner says.

Wagner will be under the tutelage of Stephen Wyrczynski, who studied viola at Juilliard and was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra for 18 years before joining the faculty at Indiana.

“I think learning from him for the next four years could put me on the right track,” Wagner says, toward achieving his post-college goals.

“I would like to get in one of the top orchestras around the world,” he adds. “It’s extremely hard to get one of those jobs.”

Another average teen?

Wagner, who was recently chosen as principal viola at the Illinois Music Educators Association District 1 Orchestra Festival and selected to be in the IMEA All-State Honors Orchestra, is also president of the school council at Timothy Christian.

But he says in most respects he’s just an average teen.

“I enjoy listening to music and being with friends,” he says. “I like to listen to everything except country.”

But Milanovich indicates Wagner and the other “Side-by-Side” participants are not so typical in this day and age.

“I think it’s exciting that there are students who are still committed to being classical musicians,” she says. “I’m heartened that people are still dreaming of pursuing a life in the arts.”