Announcing two new members of the SPCO
As we prepare to start our new season in two weeks, we’re excited to share the news that violist Hyobi Sim and oboist Barbara Bishop have been named as the newest permanent members of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Hyobi Sim first came to our attention during a recruiting trip in New York City in the fall of 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and a Masters of Music degree from the Juilliard School. As an active chamber musician, she was selected as a member of the Curtis on Tour ensemble where she performed Dvořák Piano Quintet No.2, Barber String Quartet Op.11 and premiered a sonata written for viola and piano by composer Daniel Shapiro throughout the United States. Hyobi has also had opportunities to perform with a number of highly-respected musicians including Steven Tenenbom, Ida Kavafian, Peter Wiley, Steven Isserlis, Jeremy Denk, Michael Kannen, Daniel Phillips, Pamela Frank, and Roger Tapping among others.
Barbara Bishop joined us as a Guest Musician a year ago, taking a leave of absence from her positions as Assistant Teaching Professor of Oboe at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and Associate Principal Oboe with the Kansas City Symphony. She received a Bachelor of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School and a Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota. Her summers are spent playing orchestral and chamber music in Jackson, Wyoming with the Grand Teton Music Festival. Barbara has been a soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra and with members of the Summit Brass, recorded on the Sony Classical, Newport Classics and Naxos labels, played in the semi-final round of the Munich International Competition with the Wilson Wind Quintet, and served as Principal Oboist with the Baton Rouge Symphony, Alexander Schneider’s New York String Orchestra, and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. Of her appointment, Barbara wrote, “Playing with the SPCO is a thrill and a joy, and the excellence and integrity of my colleagues on stage is unmatched by any other musical experience I’ve had in my career. On top of that, the Twin Cities is a fabulous community and I am truly amazed by the enthusiasm and support of the SPCO audiences.” Barbara is also one of our Tweeting musicians, at @LifeWithOboe.
Both musicians were awarded permanent positions by an audition committee comprised of musicians. As Principal Second Violinist and Senior Director of Artistic Planning Kyu-Young Kim wrote: “Hiring new members is just as exciting and important to the future of the SPCO as our fabulous new hall. Hyobi and Barbara were extremely impressive throughout the intensive audition and trial process. Because of the small intimate nature of our ensemble, it is even more crucial that each and every member can step up with a solo line, blend harmoniously into the section, play chamber music on the highest level, and inspire their colleagues. Both of these wonderful musicians have demonstrated that they can deliver on all of these accounts in spades and we are delighted to welcome them to the SPCO family.”
Hyobi will be featured as solo violist for Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade (arr. Max Reger) in SPCO performances February 11-14, 2016, and Barbara, along with Principal Oboist Kathryn Greenbank, will be featured in the many obbligato arias featuring oboe, oboe d’amore, and English horn in Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion October 9-11, 2015.
Find more information about our newest players in bios for Barbara Bishop and Hyobi Sim.