William Welter, principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will perform the Concerto in D Major for Oboe and Small Orchestra by Richard Strauss at the KSO’s first concert of their 48th season.
William Welter was appointed Principal Oboe of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti in June 2018 at the age of 24, making him the youngest principal oboist in the orchestra’s history. He made his debut as a soloist with the CSO in March 2022 in Mozart’s Oboe Concerto in C Major and performed again as soloist with the CSO alongside Concertmaster Robert Chen in March 2024 in Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C Minor. A passionate chamber musician, Welter performs actively in a variety of ensembles, including Chicago’s Civitas Ensemble and Rembrandt Chamber Musicians. Prior to his appointment to the CSO, he performed as a guest with the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
In addition to his performance activities, Welter is dedicated to education, teaching at both DePaul University and Roosevelt University, and giving regular masterclasses at Oberlin Conservatory, Rice University, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The KSO’s fall concert will be held October 19, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at the NIU Music Building and will also feature music by Gershwin and Tchaikovsky. A pre-concert talk featuring William Welter and KSO music director Linc Smelser begins at 6:30 p.m. in a room near the concert hall. Tickets are available in advance or at the door 30 minutes before the concert begins.
(Photo of William Welter by Todd Rosenberg Photography)