Charles Noble

how it’s going

A day off gets one of these. In case you're new here, I'll give a tl;dr thumbnail sketch. I have been Assistant principal violist of the Oregon Symphony for the past 30 years. During those 30 years I also have played in two nearly full-time string quartets, a new music ensemble, and…

the latest generation

This past Saturday at the Oregon Symphony's Music Box space downtown I attended an introduction of our new 'class' of musicians that have recently joined the orchestra to a select group of donors and supporters. This may have been something that the orchestra has done before…

on art and perfectionism Note: I've been drafting this post for close to two weeks. This was NOT due to being a recovering perfectionist! There is a insidious and prevalent trope of artistic life that boils down to this: to create (great) art, one must suffer. I don't think that this is true – but I only make pretty good art. But the notion that art requires suffering in order to be good has been around for a long time.

on art and perfectionism

Note: I've been drafting this post for close to two weeks. This was NOT due to being a recovering perfectionist! There is a insidious and prevalent trope of artistic life that boils down to this: to create (great) art, one must suffer. I don't think that this is true – but…

Summer Roundup (Part 2)

Sunset at the J. Christopher at Appassionata Estate vineyards. Just a week or so after my wonderful time at the Chintimini festival, it was time to begin rehearsals for what is truly the highlight of my year, the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival. The founders and…

The New Tom Clancy’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians

Summer Roundup (Part 1)

Summers are an interesting time for musicians - whether they are in a full 52 week orchestra, freelance performers, or members of orchestras that play less than 52 weeks each season. The Oregon Symphony plays 40 weeks a year - leaving 12 weeks where we find work where we…

tourtière is anytime food IMO - though my of French-Canadian descent mom served it at Christmas.

AI generated image of a sasquatch sitting in the forest playing a viola.

Just a few thoughts about a hell of a long time doing the 'same thing'. www.nobleviola.com/wordpress/20...

This Republican senator is leading the charge against Trump’s tariffs Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky is issuing a stark warning to fellow Republicans that Trump’s tariff policies could lead to a generational political loss.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is in some ways an unlikely figure to articulate a searing case against President Trump’s agenda.

But he’s issuing a stark warning to fellow Republicans that Trump’s tariff policies could lead to a generational political loss for the party.

Maybe it’s just because of Yale?

Concert: In Motion: An Evening with Musical Activist Vijay Gupta Your official source for 45th Parallel Universe tickets. Our passion is great music and Portland is our stage. Join the collective!

Saturday March 1st in Portland, OR - be there if you can! www.45thparallelpdx.org/concerts/in-...

Feeling really fortunate to be able to play two great strings quartets within two weeks of each other: Beethoven’s Op 59/1 (last Sunday) and Schubert’s Death and the Maiden (this Saturday). The show on Saturday is going to be with 45thParallelPDX featuring the incredible violinist Vijay Gupta.

Do Not Obey In Advance: A Moral Crisis in Arts Funding February energy is the NEA falling apart, a story about my mother, and learning to tell the difference between being trapped and just being scared.

This, from @clairewillett.bsky.social, is a really excellently written summation of the reckoning of values currently facing every arts organization in America that receives, or applies for, money from the NEA.

Can you explain why Vermont and New Hampshire are diametrically opposed politically? Water sources, etc?

I still get mine to play in tune. 🙄

UPDATE: It was lit.

So moar.

Playing Beethoven X Beyoncé tonight. Rehearsal in a little while. We just played Beethoven 7 five times this past weekend and I’m genuinely wondering what we’ve got our collective selves into. It should be fire for the kidz tho. www.orsymphony.org/concerts-tic...

I did! Fall of 1995 was my first season in the orchestra.

Wow, I don’t post much. Hopefully that will change. I’m a violist with the Oregon Symphony (since 1995💀) and the Pyxis Quartet. I love cats, riding my bike, and - often - music.

Capybara car!

Hello. Happy Solstice!