Three Korean String Players Appointed to Major International Orchestras
Creatrip Team
24 days ago
Three South Korean string musicians have secured posts at top overseas orchestras. Violinist Ji Sang-hee was appointed a tenured first violinist with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne (the resident orchestra of Cologne Opera, founded 1827). Violinist Kim Young-ji became a tenured member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, joining after an audition and probationary year; the CSO will welcome conductor Klaus Mäkelä as music director in 2027. Violist Cho So-young was selected as associate principal viola of the Los Angeles Philharmonic following a blind audition and will begin a one-year probation before possible tenure; the LA Phil, founded 1919, has been led by conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo Dudamel and will appoint Daniel Harding in 2027. The appointments highlight Korean musicians’ growing presence in leading Western orchestras and reflect rigorous audition and probation processes.
