Mark Kraemer joined the Chicago Symphony in 1974. Kraemer grew up in the Chicago area and was introduced to the CSO as a high school student by his parents, both musical, who were subscribers to the orchestra.
Kraemer studied bass with Harold Siegel and Joseph Guastafeste, former principal bass of the CSO. From 1972 to '73, he was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In 1973, Kraemer was a member of the Oakland (CA) Symphony Orchestra.
Kraemer believes in the mission of the CSO — to share the beauty of classical music with people in Chicago and around the world. He is a regular contributor to the Orchestra.
Kraemer is grateful to his parents, Charles and Eleanor, for introducing him to music and to Harold, Joe, and Stan Ackerman, his high school orchestra director, for their inspirational and invaluable instruction in music.
Along with classical music, Kraemer enjoys folk, rock and jazz. He also plays piano and guitar and loves to study how his favorite pop songs are put together. He and his wife Christine, a church organist, have two grown children, daughters Carolyn and Cheryl.
