Violinist Joyce Noh joined the orchestra in 1979 under the directorship of Sir Georg Solti and retired on 30 July 2025
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has announced the retirement of its long-serving second violinist, Joyce Noh, after 46 seasons.
Noh was the first Asian woman to join the orchestra in 1979 and was appointed by music director Sir Georg Solti. In recognition of her tenure, she will receive the CSO’s Theodore Thomas Medallion for Distinguished Service at a future date.
During her tenure with CSO, she performed under music directors Solti, Daniel Barenboim and Riccardo Muti, as well as principal conductor Bernard Haitink, principal guest conductors Claudio Abbado and Pierre Boulez, and music director designate Klaus Mäkelä. She took part in 43 international tours, culminating in her final tour with the orchestra to Europe in 2024 with Muti.
Noh performed regularly in the CSO Chamber Music series and CSO ensembles that performed in outreach projects in Chicago area schools and community organisations for seniors.
Noh reflected on her years performing with the CSO: ’I have incredible memories of making music with my wonderful colleagues in the orchestra over so many years and in concert halls across the country and around the world.
’When I joined the orchestra there were only a few women but now there are many more who bring their exceptional artistry into our performances. Seeing that change in the ensemble has been very rewarding.
’I also feel grateful to have had the opportunity to share music with young people in classrooms and in the CSO’s school and family concerts. Music is important for everyone, and I’m glad I could be part of this.’
Noh’s musical journey began in Seoul, South Korea, and was taught by her mother Yeonok Lee, who was among the first female violinists hired to play in the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1968, she received a full scholarship from novelist and humanitarian Pearl S. Buck to study in the US, where she attended Philadelphia’s New School of Music, as well as the Juilliard School, studying with Ivan Galamian, Felix Galimir and Robert Mann.
Her career outside of the CSO include a two-year stint with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 1977-79, as well as solo appearances with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, plus recital and chamber performances across the US and on television and radio programmes. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience, served on the board of the Sejong Cultural Society in Chicago and as a judge for the Sejong Music Competition.
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