Jim DeSano played trombone in the Cleveland Orchestra from 1970-2003, serving as Principal Trombone for the final 14 years. He speaks with Brian Hysong about the highs and lows of those years, from auditions through multiple music directors.

Rick Solis spent 41 years with the Cleveland Orchestra, 18 as Principal Horn. He discusses some of his memories and experiences with Brian Hysong.

Rick Solis spent 41 years with the Cleveland Orchestra, 18 as Principal Horn. He discusses some of his memories and experiences with Brian Hysong.

A true “cross-over artist” and Benny Goodman’s only student, Julian Milkis is an internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, and jazz clarinetist. He is fresh back from a concert tour in Ukraine and speaks with Brian Hysong.

Patti Neimi, author of the memoir Sticking it Out, and member of the percussion section of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1992, speaks with Brian Hysong about auditions and anxiety, harassment at Juilliard and more.

Principal Trumpet Manny Laureano, who joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 1981 after four years as principal with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, has performed solos in all the Orchestra’s concert series and served as an assistant conductor during the 2005-06 season.

Juilliard trained trombonist and performance artist, Abbie Conant, was principal trombone of the Royal Opera House in Turin, Italy from 1979-80 and solo trombone in the Munich Philharmonic 1980 to 1993. Her experiences as a woman trombonist comprise the final chapter of Malcom Gladwell’s popular book Blink, which was on the NYT Bestseller list for 18 weeks.

Cinthia Meyers, piccolo with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, speaks with Brian Hysong in the Musician’s Lounge about winning a place in an orchestra.

American oboist, performer, producer, speaker, journalist and creator of “Mozart in the Jungle” speaks with Brian Hysong in the Musician's Lounge (part 2 of 2).

American oboist, performer, producer, speaker, journalist and creator of “Mozart in the Jungle” speaks with Brian Hysong in the Musician's Lounge (part 1 of 2).