Brad Hochhalter, Principal Oboe

Brad Hochhalter, principal oboe, a Portland native, has been a member of the Columbia Symphony for over 15 years. Brad studied with world-renowned oboist Marc Lifschey during the 1970's while living in the Bay Area. Mr. Lifschey was principal oboe with the San Francisco symphony at the time, and notably, principal in the Cleveland Orchestra under Szell in the 1960's.

Brad has performed with the Berkeley Orchestra under Kent Nagano, the Santa Rosa Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the Symphonia Concertante here in Portland. Being part of the Columbia Symphony has been an important part of Brad's life. Balancing a full-time management career with Kaiser Permanente and his musical career has provided a challenge and also tremendous rewards.

Brad has two lovely daughters from a prior marriage currently working towards graduate and undergraduate degrees and enjoying artistic pursuits of their own. Brad and his wife Siri, live in the Bay Area because of Brad's work with Kaiser, which means he commutes to Portland weekly for rehearsals!