Ann Hobson Pilot

Ann Hobson Pilot is the principal harpist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Prior to joining the BSO in 1969, she was the second harpist with the Pittsburgh Symphony and the principal harpist of the National Symphony. In addition to solo appearances with the BSO and Boston Pops, she has been a soloist with many American orchestras. She has played in the Marlboro Festival, with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players and the contemporary music ensemble Collage, and is founder of the New England Harp Trio. Honors include Sigma Alpha Iota’s Distinguished Woman of the Year Award in 1991, the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts School of Music Alumni Achievement Award in 1992, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1993. In addition to New England Conservatory, Pilot is on the faculties at Boston University, Tanglewood Music Center, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

Pilot will be retiring from her position as principal harpist of the Boston Symphony at the end of the 2008 season.

B.M., Cleveland Institute of Music; hon. D.Mus., Bridgewater State College. Studies at Philadelphia Musical Academy. Harp with Marilyn Costello, Alice Chalifoux. Recordings on Boston Records, Koch International, Deutsche Grammophon, and Denouement. Former faculty of Philadelphia Musical Academy, Temple University Music Festival of Ambler, National Youth Orchestra, and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. Also faculty of Boston University, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Tanglewood Music Center.