W. Gregory Berton has been a member of the Bass Section of the SDSO since 1982 and has also generously served in various capacities beyond performing, including a term on the board of Directors. His dedication to this orchestra means he has spent most of his adult life with us and he recently reaffirmed his commitment to us by creating a significant Charitable Trust as part of the Centennial campaign. In recognition of the gift of the Bertons and Greg’s service, the SDSO Youth Concerts have been renamed the Berton Family Young People’s Concerts.
Mr. Berton’s primary teacher was Stuart Sankey, and before joining the SDSO Mr. Berton performed as Principal Bass of the Symphonisches Orchester Berlin and the Aspen Chamber Symphony and spent two seasons with the Oregon Symphony. Greg has been active in all aspects of musical life, from teaching at local colleges to opera, ballet, chamber orchestra, recording, etc.
Greg enjoys his family and likes to spend as much time as possible with them. He is also a great cook and enjoys entertaining, reading, playing jazz with his son Kieran and working with his daughter Eleanor on his farm property in Oregon. He believes strongly in the volunteer spirit and supports a number of civic and arts organizations.
Greg’s philosophy: I would like people to know that the reason I love to perform is because I hope that hearing us play elevates their souls to a higher level, that as they listen to some of mankind’s most eloquent creations, it will give them pause as they ponder life in all its complexities.