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
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Aug
31
Aug 31, 2026 at 7:29 AM

Posted on: Aug 23, 2026 at 11:12 AM

Dear Trish; I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear husband Harp. We are all experiencing losses of friends, family, & spouses. Sending heartfelt condolences & best wishes to you & your family.

Stephen Colburn
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Jun
13
Jun 13, 2026 at 11:24 AM

Posted on: Jun 12, 2026 at 3:42 PM

Hi Pete; Wishing you a Happy B'day & many more.
Best regards fr cheeseland

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn has a birthday today.
May
08
May 08, 2026 at 3:33 AM
Stephen Colburn
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Apr
02
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Stephen Colburn
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Jan
12
Jan 12, 2026 at 12:30 PM

Hi Jim; Wishing you a very Happy B'day, good health & a more hopeful 2026.

Stephen Colburn
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Jan
10
Jan 10, 2026 at 3:20 PM

Hi Trish; Wishing you a wonderful Happy B'day, much happiness, good health & a more peaceful & hopeful 2026.

Stephen Colburn
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Dec
28
Dec 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM

Hi Cathy; Wishing you Happy B'day, good bealth & a peaceful 2026. Let's keep hangin' in there! Best regards, Steve Colburn

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn has a birthday today.
May 08, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Jan 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM

Hi Jim; Sending good wishes f a Happy B'day and a healthy & peaceful 2025.
As ever, Steve & Marlee

Stephen Colburn
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Jan 05, 2025 at 9:33 AM

Posted on: Jan 04, 2025 at 10:55 AM

Hi Trish; Wishing you a wonderful Happy Birthday & a healthy, peaceful 2025. Holy crap!!! It's 2025? Hth did that happen?

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Dec 28, 2024 at 3:23 PM

Hi Cathy; Looks as if we made it through another year! Wishing you a very happy b'day & healthy and peaceful 2025. Buckle up, the country is in for a rough time the next 4 yrs!!!

Stephen Colburn
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Oct 10, 2024 at 8:23 AM

Posted on: Oct 09, 2024 at 1:33 PM

Hi Ed; Wishing you Happy Birthday, good health & a fun year. I played 2 wks chamber music at Washington Island Music Festival in Aug, now gearing up f Bruch: Kol Nidrei f Yom Kippur this Fri. We'll see how things go!

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
Aug 09, 2024 at 4:08 PM

Hi Dallas; Wishing a very Happy Birthday, good health & good times.
Warm regards,
Steve Colburn

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn posted a message.
May 29, 2024 at 2:38 PM

Ok Tilly we are now 80.....holy sh.t! How did that happen? Let me assure you, nothing to fear fr being 80.......just as long as you wake up in the morning it beats the alternative & UR ok.
Wishing you Happy B'day, good health & many years of happiness (Assuming, of course that the country survives!@$¥?£§?!!!!)

Stephen Colburn
Stephen Colburn has a birthday today.
May 08, 2024 at 3:33 AM
Stephen Colburn
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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, 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, 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, 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, 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