Stephen Colburn

Profile Updated: May 12, 2017
Stephen Colburn
Residing In MILWAUKEE, WI USA
Spouse/Partner MARLEE SABO
Occupation PRINCIPAL OBOIST, MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY (Retired)
Children Sara Colburn Kosky, b. 1971 (Married to Anthony Kosky, parents to Rose, 8 and Sophie, 5); Berkeley, More…CA, Professional singer, San Francisco Opera Chorus.

Benjamin Colburn, b. 1973 (Married to Kim Colburn Lindell, parents to Joseph, 11 and Lily, 8); Rosemount, MN, Attorney/Prosecutor, Hastings, MN
Stephen Colburn

Yearbook

Yes! Attending Reunion
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Attended Indiana Univ. Music School, where Marlee (operatic & concert soprano, now voice teacher at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music) and I met; graduated 1966. MM degree, UW-Milwaukee, 1968. Performed as Principal Oboist, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 1966-2011; Santa Fe Opera (1973-1988); Music Director/Conductor: Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra (1974-2002); Racine Symphony (1975-1988); Founder/Artistic Director, Washington Island Music Festival (1991-2017). Happily enjoying (semi) retirement continuing to perform as Chicago free-lance musician with Ars Viva Orchestra, Chicago Master Singers, DuPage Chorale. Visiting children & grand children 3-4x a year, and spending as much time as possible on Washington Island. This May 13, we will celebrate our 50th (!) wedding anniversary and this July hosting our children & grand children for a 4 day 50th anniversary weekend in Santa Fe, NM.
School Story

Having moved from Lombard, I entered York as a sophomore and only knew a few people. Decided to see about meeting some fellow students so I went to the homecoming float decorating event where I was making paper flowers or some such and starting to talking to Marty Palmer, who suggested I should join the York HS Band. It seemed like a reasonable idea, so I auditioned for Mr. Reimer and became a band member, playing sax & bass clarinet. At the end of junior year, Mr. Reimer called me to his office and very casually said, "Steve, why don't you take the oboe home over the summer and see what you can do." That offhand conversation not only determined a future path as a professional musician, but changed the course of my entire life. Thank you Marty (!), and of course Mr. Reimer.

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Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Jan
12
Jan 12, 2024 at 1:14 PM

Jim, thinking of you & sending best wishes f a very Happy B'day & many more. Have to say those fabled York HS math & physics classes were not so great f me, but I never would have made it through any of them w/o your help!

Stephen Colburn
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Jan
14
Jan 14, 2024 at 9:53 AM

Posted on: Jan 03, 2024 at 5:20 PM

Hi Trish; Checking in to wish you a very Happy (80th!!!) B'day & many more years of health & happiness. Best regards fr your old classmate in cheeseland (MKE).

Stephen Colburn
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Jan
02
Jan 02, 2024 at 10:45 AM

Posted on: Dec 28, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Hi Cathy; HOLY CRAP! Now we're 80!!! Can't quite wrap my mind around that. In any case, just checking in to wish you a Happy B'day & many more.
As ever,
Steve Colburn

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Oct
16
Oct 16, 2023 at 12:40 PM

Hi Ed; Wishing you Happy Birthday & many more years of good health.

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Aug
09
Aug 09, 2023 at 11:17 PM

Dear Dallas; Wishing you a wonderful happy birthday & many more. Hope you are ok & well. Haven't heard from you in quite awhile.
As ever, Steve Colburn

Stephen Colburn
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Jun
13
Jun 13, 2023 at 10:30 AM

Posted on: Jun 12, 2023 at 1:03 PM

Hi Pete; Wishing you a very Happy Birthday & many more years of fun!

Stephen Colburn
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May
30
May 30, 2023 at 8:02 AM

Posted on: May 29, 2023 at 11:31 AM

Happy B'day old friend. Holy crap, you/we are 79!!! We are on Washington Island f Musicfest fundraiser.....always think of you as we drive through Bailey's Harbor. Hope we can get together one of these days. Let us know if you are ever in Elmhurst/Chicago land. It's an easy drive fr MKE. As ever, Colburn

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn has a birthday today.
May
08
May 08, 2023 at 3:33 AM
Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Jan 06, 2023 at 12:56 PM

Hi Trish; Wishing you a very Happy Birthday many more & a healthy & peaceful 2023.

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Jan 05, 2023 at 12:21 PM

Hi Trish; Best wishes f a very Happy Birthday & a healthy, peaceful 2023.
Steve Colburn

Stephen Colburn
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Jan 09, 2023 at 10:43 PM

Posted on: Jan 04, 2023 at 2:32 PM

Hi Cathy; Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and a healthy & peaceful 2023. Best regards, your old York HS bandmate.

Stephen Colburn
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Oct 11, 2022 at 10:11 PM

Posted on: Oct 11, 2022 at 11:35 AM

Hi Ed; Wishing you a very happy birthday, good health & a peaceful year.
Best regards, Steve Colburn

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Aug 10, 2022 at 10:21 PM

Dear Dallas; Wishing you a wonderful Happy B'day & many more. As ever, Steve Colbur

Stephen Colburn
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May 23, 2022 at 12:01 PM

Posted on: May 22, 2022 at 7:25 PM

OK Tilly, checking in to wish you a happy b'day & many more. Any chance you are coming to.the 60 yr York reunion this fall? Landwehr was here a few wks ago. We had a great visit.
Stay healthy out there & drag yourself to the midwest one of these days.

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn has a birthday today.
May 08, 2022 at 3:33 AM
Stephen Colburn
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Jan 12, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Jan 03, 2022 at 6:04 PM

Happy Birthday Trish & best wishes for a safe, healthy & peaceful 2022.

Stephen Colburn
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Jan 03, 2022 at 5:25 PM

Posted on: Dec 28, 2021 at 2:44 PM

Dear Fred; Somehow I didn't see or rcv your b'day wishes from May, 2020! Belated thanks & my sincere apologies for not responding. I attempted (just now) to send you a reply from my York Profile pg but doesn't look as if it worked so here I am on your pg directly. Thanks again f staying in touch, see you at the 60 yr (!) reunion?

Stephen Colburn
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Jan 05, 2022 at 12:16 PM

Posted on: Dec 28, 2021 at 2:26 PM

Hi Cathy; Cheers to you from cheeseland to wish you a happy, safe, healthy birthday & many more.

I too remain stunned & shocked at the loss of Marguerite. We were very close Sr. year at York & were in touch periodically of the years. We had a wonderful reunion in NYC after a Milw. Sym concert at Carnegie Hall. She was a dear, darling girl, I'd have to say we were HS sweethearts. Still thinking about & missing her every day.

I'm planning on attending 60 yr (!) reunion in Sept. Hope to see you there. Can we somehow convince our York bandmate Marty Palmer to show up?

Stephen Colburn
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Oct 16, 2021 at 3:15 PM

Posted on: Oct 16, 2021 at 12:12 PM

Hi Ed; Wishing you a happy birthday, many more & great concerts in the years ahead.