The CBSO family continues to grow as we welcome two new players to the orchestra, starting in September and November 2025 retrospectively.

Victoria Farrell-Reed, Tutti First Violin

Originally from Heywood, North Manchester, Victoria started playing the violin at the age of 6 after receiving one as a Christmas present from her grandparents. She was accepted into Chetham's School of Music at age 8, where she studied before moving to London to complete her undergraduate and master's degrees at Guildhall School of Music & Drama under David Takeno and Bartosz Woroch.

After graduating, Victoria remained in London and was offered a place as a member of Southbank Sinfonia for 2022-23. She has since built a varied freelance career across the UK as both an orchestral and chamber musician. She has toured extensively throughout Europe and works regularly with orchestras including the Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, The Hallé and Manchester Camerata. In addition to her orchestral work, Victoria has a passion for outreach and enjoys performing regularly in schools and the Royal Opera House family Sundays as part of ‘Billy’s Band’.

Her diverse career has also led her to perform alongside artists such as ABC, DJ Pete Tong, as well as appearing on the Mercury-Prize-nominated album I Love You Jennifer B by Jockstrap. Victoria is also a member of the sea shanty group, the Mead Men, often found performing on barges and in pubs throughout London and the UK.

Aside from music, Victoria's passions include ballet, yoga and baking!

Victoria was honoured to take part in the CBSO Career Accelerator scheme in 2023-2024 and is absolutely thrilled to now join the orchestra as a permanent member.

Hyun Jung Song, Section Leader Oboe

Hyun Jung was born in Seoul, South Korea and initially studied flute and piano. At the age of 9, she started playing oboe at the suggestion of her church pastor after being captivated by the sound of the iconic oboe piece “Gabriel’s Oboe”. She studied in Korea with Ji won Yoon and attended Yewon School, Seoul Arts High School, and Seoul National University before moving to Germany for further studies.

She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, studying with Dominik Wollenweber and is currently pursuing the Konzert Examen while studying with both Dominik Wollenweber and Viola Wilmsen.

Hyun Jung was a member of the Karajan Academy, where she gained orchestral experience with the Berliner Philharmoniker and received mentoring from Christoph Hartmann. This experience was a major turning point in her career, helping her develop orchestral leadership skills and deepen her mastery of diverse performance styles.

She has served as guest principal oboe with Deutches Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin and Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin and has performed with leading orchestras including the Berliner Philharmoniker, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, and Hr-Sinfonieorchester. She is also active in chamber and early music, performing with ensembles such as ZeMu! Ensemble Berlin and Berlin Barock Solisten, and has participated in major festivals including Zermatt, Krzyżowa, and Lucerne. In 2023, she was awarded 2nd Prize at the Japan International Oboe Competition.

Outside of music, Hyun Jung enjoys visiting art museums and drinking good coffee, exploring new places, and practicing mindfulness to balance her busy performing schedule.