Shelly Sublett has been principal English horn and assistant principal oboe with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1985.  She has also held the position of second oboe and English horn with the American Sinfonietta and the Tennessee Summer Symphony.  Her recordings are available on the Pro Organo label.

Dr. Sublett has previously held the position of oboe instructor at the University of Central Arkansas, University of Memphis, and the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts.  She has been affiliated with the Community Music School as oboe instructor since 1990 and also maintains an private studio, preparing younger oboists for college and conservatory studies.

She has coauthored a series of articles entitled "Great Oboes of the Twentieth Century" for the journals of the International Double Reed Society.  She has commissioned compositions for oboe and piano from John Elmquist, Robert Patterson, and Paul Pellay and received and Individual Fellowship Award from the Tennessee Arts Commission for the 1995-96 season.  This enabled her ensemble Equinox to premiere these works on a nation wide tour that same year.

Dr. Sublett received a Bachelor of Music degree from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Memphis.

Shelly Sublett, Assistant Principal Oboe, Principal English Horn

First Season with MSO: 1985-1986

Facts about Shelly

Outside interests:  Knitting and flower gardening

Most interesting place she's performed: Hamburg, Germany on tour with the American Sinfonietta

Worst non-musical job: Waitressing at Higbees in Cleveland, OH during grad school.  One customer actually said to her, "Really, Miss, you shouldn't make this your career."  Shelly did get the last laugh, though.  One month later, she won her first orchestra job in the Xalapa Symphony (Mexico).