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
Comments

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.

Stephen's Latest Interactions

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Jan
12
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 posted a message. New comment added.
Jan
05
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?

Dec
28
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 posted a message. New comment added.
Oct
10
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!

Aug
09
Aug 09, 2024 at 4:08 PM

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

May
29
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 has a birthday today.
May
08
May 08, 2024 at 3:33 AM
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 posted a message. New comment added.
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 posted a message. New comment added.
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

Oct 16, 2023 at 12:40 PM

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

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

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

Jan 05, 2023 at 12:21 PM

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

Stephen Colburn posted a message. New comment added.
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 posted a message. New comment added.
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

Aug 10, 2022 at 10:21 PM

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