Emily Randle, Violinist and Songwriter

A native of Elmhurst, Illinois, Emily Randle holds violin performance degrees from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.M.) and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (M.M.). A composer from age 9, she minored in jazz studies at graduate school, which formed the basis of her writing and improvising in several other genres, most recently singer-songwriter and “trop rock” (Jimmy Buffett-inspired tropical rock or Americana). Following a one-year first violin position with The Louisville Orchestra, Emily performed from 1999-2003 in Chicagoland (Lyric Opera, Joffrey Ballet, Ravinia, Chicago Philharmonic, Elgin Symphony, and Gypsy jazz group Swing Gitan) and nationally (Key West Symphony, and touring with Coral Reefers’ guitarists Peter Mayer and Roger Bartlett). Emily’s orchestral work includes shows with Joshua Bell, Belle and Sebastian, Bjork, Andrea Bocelli, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wynonna Judd, Kansas, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Moody Blues, Frank Sinatra Jr., Marco Antonio Solis, Rod Stewart, The Three Tenors, Yes and Yo-Yo Ma; and rock band appearances with Jimmy Buffett, Enter The Haggis, and Mac McAnally (Coral Reefer, and CMA Musician of the Year 2011-2018).

In 2003 Emily won a position with the United States Army Strolling Strings, “Pershing’s Own”, outside Washington D.C. Sergeant Major (Retired) Randle served 20 years active duty, first as violinist/rock soloist/Strings arranger and then as Operations for “Pershing’s Own”, the largest military band in the world. She led the unit's planning and manning throughout events of the COVID pandemic, George Floyd riots, Trump and Biden Inaugurations, Official Visits of France/Australia/Italy, and the Bush State Funeral. She facilitated the updated arrangement and recording of the Chaplain’s Hymn, “Soldiers of God”, for Chorus and Concert Band, for which she received the Chief of Chaplains' distinctive award, The Order of Aaron and Hur. For her leadership and security planning throughout the Biden Inauguration and January 6th aftermath she received the Legion of Merit. She was honored to serve her Nation, and still utilizes many of the organizational and leadership skills from her time in service. A disabled Veteran, she is frequently at Hines VA Hospital both for her own needs and the advocacy of area Veterans and the doctors/staff who treat them.

In 2016, inspired by a lifetime of “side manning” for other artists and a high-stress creativity-crushing role in the Army, Emily finally wrote and recorded “Girl of My Dreams”, available on Spotify and Apple Music. She is a champion of the house concert movement, and has been featured at several in Florida and Virginia since the late 2000s. She enjoys staying engaged with friends and fans via Facebook, Instagram, and Bandsintown, where her music and stories are easy to find. She is a Fishman endorsed Artist.

Emily is a resident and lover of Oak Park, where she and her brother provide in-home care for their disabled father. A Christ-follower, she attends Calvary Memorial where she plays on the worship team monthly and enjoys the Women’s Ministry.

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