Scott Hostetler joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra oboe section in 2002. In 2008, he was appointed to the english horn position by principal conductor Bernard Haitink. Prior to joining the CSO, he was principal oboe and an artist-in-residence of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He has frequently performed on the CSO’s chamber music series, and in 2021 he made his solo debut with the CSO, playing Bach’s Concerto for Oboe d’amore and Strings.

Susan Warner is an Acting Principal Clarinetist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. Also a member of the Sun Valley Music Festival Orchestra, Susan was recently featured as soloist in Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs. She has performed as substitute musician with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.

Yuan-Qing Yu is assistant concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. An international award-winning violinist, she leads an active life as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher and advocate for the orchestra. A native of Shanghai, China, Yuan-Qing Yu won the Chinese Nationwide Violin Competition at the age of 17. Yuan-Qing Yu has given numerous critically acclaimed performances as featured soloist with the CSO, the Monte Carlo and Radio France philharmonics and the London City Orchestra. She also has appeared in recitals throughout the U.S. and Europe. An active chamber musician, Yuan-Qing Yu has collaborated with Daniel Barenboim, Pinchas Zukerman, Menahem Pressler, Lang Lang and Yo-Yo Ma.

Diane Mues has been a violist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1987. With an early ear for music and encouragement from her family, violist Diane Mues developed her playing through vigorous engagement in the Chicago classical music community. She earned a bachelor’s degree at DePaul University where she was a student of longtime CSO Principal Viola Milton Preves. Following participation in the Tanglewood Music Festival, Mues was appointed assistant principal viola of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra before joining the CSO. Over the years she has enjoyed many collaborations in the Orchestra’s citywide educational programs, various chamber music performances, and on WFMT-FM Chicago.

Robert Kassinger joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1993, and served previously as Assistant Principal Bass for the Colorado Symphony and Section Bass for the New Orleans Symphony.An active chamber musician, Kassinger has performed with Daniel Barenboim, Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, the Fine Arts Quartet and Music of the Baroque. Also renowned as a jazz artist, Kassinger has appeared with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Charlie Rouse and the Woody Herman Orchestra. Kassinger is Adjunct Professor of Double Bass at DePaul University.