Ann Hobson Pilot
Ann Hobson Pilot (born November 6, 1943) is an American musician and the former principal
Biography
Ann Hobson was born on November 6, 1943, in
She began studying the harp when she was 14. Though she achieved a concert caliber by her senior year of high school, she encountered obstacles due to her race early on. The Maine Harp Colony rejected her application to study there during the summer because of her race. Following her graduation from the Philadelphia Girls High, she was able to attend the Maine Harp Colony, where she met pioneering woman harpist Alice Chalifoux.[1]
After returning from Maine, Hobson studied at the
Hobson was selected to play as master harpist in the National Symphony Orchestra in 1966, its first black member, replacing Sylvia Meyer.[4] She continued with the National Symphony till 1969.[1][2]
Hobson was the second harpist with the
In addition to solo appearances with the BSO and Boston Pops, she has appeared as a soloist with many American orchestras. She has played at the
Pilot retired from her position as harpist of the Boston Symphony in 2009 ending a 40-year career in the orchestra.[5]
Besides her concert career, Pilot was also a music teacher. She taught at the
In 2020, she delivered a TED (conference) Talk: "A Black Harpist's Story".[7]
Notes
- ^ ISBN 0-253-32774-1.
- ^ a b c Eichler, Jeremy (July 28, 2011). "Tribute to accomplished harpist, classical trailblazer". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ "Ann Hobson Pilot to Receive Honorary Doctorate at CIM Commencement". Cleveland Institute of Music. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Bernstein, Adam (March 30, 2005). "Esteemed NSO Harpist Sylvia Meyer". The Washington Post.
- ^ Shea, Andrea (October 1, 2009). "Going Out On A Glissando: BSO Harpist Retires". NPR. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ "Ann Hobson Pilot". New England Conservatory. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ A Black Harpist's Story | Ann Hobson | TEDxBeaconStreet, retrieved 2022-03-26
Further reading
- Handy, D. Antoinette (1981). Black Women in American Bands and Orchestras. Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-1346-5.