San Francisco Symphony Celebrates Two Longtime Orchestra Musicians Retiring in 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony congratulate two musicians retiring in 2024. Second Violin Chunming Mo, who joined the Orchestra in 1991, retires in October following the October 18-20 program led by Salonen. Second Oboe Pamela Smith, who first played with the SF Symphony in 1980 and joined the Orchestra in 1988, retired at the end of the 2023–24 season.  

Violinist Chunming Mo (34 years of service) was born in Shanghai, China. She started to play the violin at age 11, and she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the Shanghai Conservatory. She later earned her master’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory. Before becoming a member of the Symphony in 1991, Chunming Mo was a member of the Shanghai Symphony and the Sacramento Symphony. 

Oboist Pamela Smith (39 years of service) studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Belgium and with former San Francisco Symphony principal oboe Marc Lifschey at the San Francisco Conservatory. Upon graduation, she joined the newly formed San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She first played with the San Francisco Symphony in 1980 alongside her mentor, Lifschey, and became a permanent member in 1988, holding the Dr. William D. Clinite Chair. Prior to joining the Symphony, she served as assistant principal oboe in the Atlanta Symphony and principal oboe in the Honolulu Symphony.   

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