Flute Finalists?

Davies Symphony Hall, SF

Photo by Lisa Hirsch

You might have noticed, over the last year or so, a number of flutists rotating through the San Francisco Symphony flute section. That's since principal flutist Tim Day and associate principal flutist Robin McKee retired. The first round of auditions supposedly resulted in an offer that was turned down. 

A second round of auditions took place this spring. There were several guest flutists recently, including the following:  

• Yubeen Kim, principal flutist of the Konzerthausorchester, Berlin, in the Beethoven concert
• Kayla Burggraf of the Kansas City Symphony, in the Busoni concert (she has been a substitute more than once this season)
• Blair Francis Paponiu, associate principal flute of the Naples Philharmonic (FL), in the last program (Julia Bullock and Daphis et Chloe)

I can't recall whether there was a guest flutist for Adriana Mater. Only flutists in concerts conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen would be playing trial weeks, so no flutists who appeared when he wasn't conducting are under consideration for the principal flute job. Best of luck to everyone who tried for the job; there are so many good players out there who are capable of filling the role!