Outgoing

 

Davies Symphony Hall

If you read my blog, or if you've been following the current contract negotiations, you know that SFS has many vacancies, in the winds, the brass, and the strings. I'll note as well that the late Principal Keyboard player Robin Sutherland has not been replaced and neither has former Chorus Master Ragnar Bohlin. I think that there are a couple of endowments supporting the principal keyboard position, but I need to ask; if so, they're restricted and that's what they're supposed to be used for.

The openings are being filled, slowly: Rainer Eudeikis is the new principal cello, and Matthew Griffith is the new associate principal and E-flat clarinet. The second round (!) of principal flute auditions is finishing up this month.

But there are two new auditions listed on the audition page:

• Principal horn, with auditions to be held in June and July. This would be Robert Ward's position.
• Second bassoon, with auditions to be held in April and June. 

I've got to assume that Ward is  retiring. He will be missed. (Previously mentioned: the associate concertmaster position from which Nadya Tichman stepped down at the beginning of the current season.)

NB: Steven Dibner is associate principal, not second bassoon. He is not retiring, which I know because I asked him.