After a series of auditions held this past Fall, the Oregon Symphony will welcome four new musicians to its ranks after the winter break concludes Friday. With violist Silu Fei, timpanist Jonathan Greeney and English hornist Kyle Mustain already here (and sounding fantastic), this brings our number of new musicians this season to six seven. Can’t wait to meet the new victims, er members! Let the hazing rituals begin (most likely drinks and an interrogation by the The Classical Beaver)!
Edward Botsford, double bass – Botsford, who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Rice University, comes to us from the Austin Symphony in Texas. A native of Washington, DC, Botsford has also performed with the Houston Grand Opera orchestra and the National Symphony.
Emily Cole, violin – A Seattle native, Cole recently earned a master’s degree at the University of North Texas, following undergraduate study at the University of Texas. While in Texas, she performed with the Dallas Symphony, the Abilene Philharmonic and other orchestras.
Ryan Lee, violin – Lee, who hails from Vacaville in Northern California, holds a bachelor’s degree and artist diploma from the Colburn School Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, where he was concertmaster for the Colburn Conservatory Orchestra. He’s also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New World Symphony.
Matthew McKay, percussion – McKay was born in Ypsilanti, MI, raised in Fairfax, VA, and comes to Portland from Boston, where he studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and Boston University. He has performed with the Boston Pops, the Boston Philharmonic and the San Diego, Jacksonville and New World symphonies.