Chris Castellanos has spent decades at the forefront of the performance world as a member of Boston Brass, but chamber music is only part of his story.
Artist Playbook caught up with the Las Vegas native to explore his one-of-a-kind journey and learn what it’s like to build a life in music on your own terms.
How did you first get into the horn?
Funny story. I first picked up the horn because of a case of mistaken identity. There was a song in the ‘80s called “Forever Young” with an instrumental solo at the end that I loved. A friend told me it was a French horn, so when I joined the band, that’s what I chose. I later discovered that it was definitely not a horn, but by then, it didn’t matter. I had fallen in love with the beautiful and powerful sound of the horn.
How did growing up in Las Vegas shape the kind of musician you became?
Growing up in Las Vegas, the music scene was flush with fantastic musicians of all genres. Although the horn is traditionally rooted in the classical world, I was fortunate to cut my teeth professionally at a young age, playing shows in a wide range of styles. That experience provided me with a unique voice on the horn and, ultimately, opened doors that might have remained shut to me as a purely classical musician.
What has your tenure with Boston Brass taught you about teamwork?
The best kind of collaboration comes from recognizing what each person brings to the table. We each contribute different musical strengths, personalities, skills, and ways of solving problems, and finding the value in those differences has made us the ensemble that we are. Boston Brass isn’t five people trying to be the same. It’s five individuals whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
How has entrepreneurship changed the way you think about being a musician?
Growing as an entrepreneur has taught me to take risks, adapt when things don’t go as planned, and create opportunities rather than wait for them. These lessons have made me a more well-rounded musician, more collaborative, open-minded, and willing to trust my own voice to make an impact. I’ve learned that a meaningful career isn’t something you find. It’s something you build.
What has become clearer to you about a career in music over time?
I’ve come to realize that people aren’t nearly as focused on what I’m doing as I once imagined. They’re busy living out their own stories. That realization gave me the freedom to stop measuring myself against other people’s expectations and start defining success on my own terms.
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