SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera received a fresh injection of artistic talent with the appointment of two new musicians to the orchestra: Dr. Laura Arganbright, second oboe, and Harry Hwang, second clarinet.

 

Dr. Laura Arganbright, Second Oboe, is joining the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera.

Arganbright is the principal oboist with the Bakersfield Symphony, with whom she performed Oscar Navarro’s Oboe Concerto “Legacy” in 2022. She has also appeared as a soloist in the world premiere of Viet Cuong’s double oboe concerto “Extra (ordinarily) Fancy” and with the Arizona Philharmonic in Marcello’s Concerto in D minor. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians and music lovers, Arganbright currently serves as oboe teaching artist for LA Phil’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) program in addition to maintaining a robust private teaching studio. An enthusiastic reed-maker, Arganbright has operated a handmade reed business since 2015 to oboists throughout California and beyond. 

Based in the Bay Area, Hwang has maintained an active orchestral career, having performed with orchestras around the country such as the Houston Symphony, New World Symphony, Merced Symphony, New York State Ballet,and Ann Arbor Camerata. He was principal clarinet in a new rendition of “Porgy and Bess,” which was subsequently commissioned for the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In addition, Hwang participated as a clarinet fellow for summer festivals, such as Sewanee Summer Music Festival and Pacific Region International Summer Music Festival, where he was a semifinalist in the annual Concerto Competition. He completed his studies at the University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Hwang maintains a small, private teaching studio. 

 

Harry Hwang, Second Clarinet, is joining the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera in spring 2025.

“I continue to be impressed with the quality of musicianship in this orchestra, and I know that the addition of Laura and Harry in their new positions will make the orchestra even stronger artistically and more consistent,” said Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Ari Pelto. “I congratulate each of them and look forward to working with them to bring the best in orchestral music and opera to this community.”

In addition, six musicians were granted tenure in the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, which offers musicians musical and artistic stability. The following musicians are now fully-tenured members: Tingting Gu, Assistant Concertmaster,; Tammie Dyer, Section Violin I; Shawyon Malek-Salehi, Section Violin I; Matthew Vincent, Section Violin II; Jacob Joseph, Principal Viola; and Jordan Farber, Principal Bassoon.

The new musicians join the orchestra at a time when the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera is on a trajectory of artistic growth and overall achievement. Concerts are often sold-out, the subscription base has fully returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, and record numbers of donors are donating.

The 2024-25 season continues through May, with three more performances at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St., Sacramento.

“American Visionaries: From Copland to Still” will be presented on April 26. “Celebrating a Decade: Mahler's "Titan” will be on May 31.

Additionally, the Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center on Oct. 17, when the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera will perform this magical score live from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera 2024-2025 Season and Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Ari Pelto, for the 2024-2025 season, are generously underwritten by the Nancy and Hank Fisher Family Fund.

Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Roger Sant underwrote the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera's 10-year Anniversary and "Celebrating a Decade - Mahler's Titan."

William O. Morris underwrote Dr. Laura Arganbright and Harry Hwang's chairs, in memory of Susan Woodbury Morris.

For more information about the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, go online to sacphilopera.org or call 916-476-5975.