eighth blackbird's new violinist

Yvonne Lam, currently assistant concertmaster of the Washington National Opera Orchestra, has been named the new violinist of eighth blackbird, the contemporary chamber-music ensemble in residence at the University of Richmond and University of Chicago when not riding jetstreams around the planet.

Lam succeeds Matt Albert, a founding member of the ’birds, who is retiring after 15 years to pursue a more traditional classical career. “I’m looking forward to playing Sibelius symphonies, Mozart string quartets, and new violin works that I’ve commissioned,” he says. “These possibilities, and the many others I’ve yet to discover, are why I’m excited, and why the rest of the group is excited for me.”

Albert tells The Washington Post’s Anne Midgette that he has auditioned for several orchestras and is exploring free-lance opportunities:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/two-violinists-traveling-in-opposite-directions-in-the-music-world/2011/05/19/AFu0HQ7G_story.html

Albert’s final performance with eighth blackbird will be at Chicago Counterpoint, a festival of works by Steve Reich, on Aug. 22.