Joseph Peters

After a three-year vacancy, the Minnesota Orchestra's principal oboe chair has finally been filled by a hometown talent. Joseph Peters grew up coming to concerts at Orchestra Hall, and many of its players were his teachers and role models, he said. The position was held for more than 40 years by Basil Reeve, who retired in 2012, and acting principal John Snow ably filled in during the gap (longer than usual due to the 15-month lockout). Peters, who was most recently principal for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, begins his new job in Minneapolis with concerts New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. He first appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra at age 18 as finalist in the Sommerfest "Minnesota Idol" contest.