CSO Announces New Musician Appointments

As a result of auditions held during the 2016-17 season, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra announces the appointment of Christopher Olka as Principal Tuba and Rebecca Barnes as Section Viola.

Mr. Olka is relocating to Cincinnati from Seattle where he served as Principal Tuba of the Seattle Symphony & Opera Orchestras. In addition he is also Principal Tuba with the Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra and Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Washington. Mr. Olka received a Bachelor of Music degree from University of Central Florida and a Masters of Music degree from The Juilliard School.

Ms. Barnes has been with the CSO under a temporary contract since 2012 and was Adjunct Instructor of Viola at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) from 2011-2016. Prior to joining the CSO, Ms. Barnes was a tenured 3rd Chair Violist with the Louisville Orchestra. She received her Bachelor of Music degree and completed Graduate Studies at CCM. She was also a Fellowship Recipient at the Aspen Music Festival and School and is an alumnus of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Both musicians will officially begin on Sept. 5, 2016.