Kevin Owen, French Horn

Where did you grow up? Various places in NY, The process continues to this day.
Favorite meal or restaurant? I do love the scallops at Red Bridge Tavern in East Providence.
Coffee or Tea? Coffee, no more than ten cups a day.
What instrument do you play in the RI Philharmonic? French horn!

What inspired you to take up that instrument and how old were you when you started? 

 I was forced by the middle school band director to play the horn or be cut from the band. No one else wanted to play it, so there was little competition. I was pretty bad at every other instrument I tried.

 

What’s your favorite composition for that instrument? 

We musicians have a joke about that. Our favorite piece is the one titled Tacet.

How long have you been playing in the RI Philharmonic?

 Somewhere around 32 years.

What is the best performance you’ve ever heard?

 It’s like asking what is your favorite breath? If the audience loves it, I consider any performance a success, no matter what or how well I played. Well…let’s say regardless of what we played.

What do you want people to know about the RI Philharmonic Orchestra? 

Four things Rhode Island has going for it, better than any city it’s size – Quahogs, Hot Weiners, Del’s and the RI Phil!

How are you keeping yourself occupied while being at home all day?

 I have a side business as an arranger/composer and a hobby of making my own French horns, so between them and cleaning the litter box more often than I usually do, it’s a pretty busy time.

You’re stuck on a desert island… what book, music, album, artist and movie do you want with you?

I’m afraid I never watch movies, and for books, I’d probably pick How To Survive On A Desert Island For Dummies. Please, no musicians. We’d argue.