oboeinsight

The Philadelphia Orchestra has settled on a finalist for its coveted principal oboist job, and he has been invited to play tryouts in upcoming concerts.

Nathan Hughes, a principal oboist with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, has not been offered the job, much less signed a contract, but he has emerged as the only finalist after several days of auditions.

The hiring process isn’t concluded, said orchestra spokeswoman Ashley Berke. In fact, Hughes might not end up in Philadelphia, but in Chicago, where the oboist says he is also expecting to play tryout concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra that have yet to be scheduled.

“It’s hard to say what will happen. I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” said Hughes Sunday, a day after his final audition in Philadelphia. “These are amazing orchestras, and the process isn’t over until everything is decided. Having us play in the orchestra is a great way to find out what musicians are like. It’s different from the audition, where you are hearing them alone mostly.”

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