Meet the SF Symphony Musician Matthew Griffith
An interview with clarinet player Matthew Griffith, David Bowie’s “Blackstar” album gets a symphonic transformation, and Jennifer Bielstein steps down at A.C.T.
Matthew Griffith joined the San Francisco Symphony as Associate Principal and E-flat Clarinet in 2022. He previously served as acting assistant principal clarinet with the North Carolina Symphony and the Nashville Symphony, and was a member of TŌN (The Orchestra Now), a graduate-level training orchestra based at Bard College. A native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he holds degrees from Yale University and New England Conservatory, and was a Tanglewood Music Center Fellow.
Do you remember the first concert you played with the San Francisco Symphony?
The first full concert I played was Star Wars: Episode IV, which was also the first time I’d done a movie with a big screen in a professional orchestra. There’s a lot of pressure playing in a new hall, so it was nice that it was a little bit more of an informal setting, as well as such an exciting feature in the first week of the season.
How did you begin playing clarinet?
I started with a plastic toy recorder. My parents bought me one when I was really young, and after school I would try to play my favorite melodies from video games and TV shows. I think that naturally led to clarinet in fifth grade.
On the Stage
This week, David Bowie’s powerhouse album will be performed by SF Symphony, a world premiere musical takes the stage at A.C.T., a lady transforms at San Francisco Playhouse, and the Stern Grove Festival takes music outdoors.
Blackstar Symphony: The Music of David Bowie
Music | San Francisco Symphony
Today | Tickets
Immerse yourself in the sonic tapestry of David Bowie’s final, critically acclaimed album, Blackstar, reimagined for a 65-piece orchestra and performed with the original Blackstar band.
More Events
- Co-Founders | American Conservatory Theater | Now – July 6 | View the Program
- Interactive Pre-Show: June 28
- Post-Show Conversation: July 2
- My Fair Lady | San Francisco Playhouse | July 3 – September 13
- Stern Grove Festival | San Francisco Symphony | July 6
Next Line
A leadership change is coming at A.C.T. and SF Opera partners with San Francisco Public Libraries to offer storytelling workshops for all.
- American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced that Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein will step down after seven years to become Managing Director of Alley Theatre in Houston. Since joining A.C.T. in 2018, her tenure saw expanded education programs, strengthened community engagement, and a sustained annual audience of nearly 200,000 across performances and training programs.
- The Opera In You is a free, inclusive workshop series designed to help individuals discover and share their stories through writing and storytelling. Open to all, the San Francisco Opera program creates welcoming spaces where participants can safely explore personal experiences—including difficult topics—without judgment. Workshops take place at public libraries through the summer.
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