Oto Carrillo was appointed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2000 by Daniel Barenboim. A native of Guatemala, Carrillo grew up in Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from DePaul University and master’s degrees in music performance and musicology from Northwestern University, studying horn with Jon Boen and Gail Williams. After graduating, he won positions with the Memphis and Cedar Rapids (now Orchestra Iowa) symphony orchestras, and continued playing in Chicago for two seasons as a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, coached by Dale Clevenger.
He also has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitana Orchestra of Lisbon as well the Chicago Sinfonietta, Music of the Baroque, Chicago Philharmonic and Lyric Opera of Chicago. In addition, Carrillo has played in various summer festival orchestras including the National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Mostly Mozart Festival (Woodstock, Illinois), and Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. Prior to his appointment to the CSO, Carrillo held positions in the South Bend and Southwest Michigan symphony orchestras.
He has collaborated with numerous chamber groups, including Chicago Chamber Musicians, the Millar Brass Ensemble, and as a chamber musician in the CSO’s MusicNOW series.
