Scott Pingel

Scott Pingel began playing the double-bass at age 17 because of a strong interest in jazz, Latin, and classical music. In 2004, at age 29, he became the principal bass of the San Francisco Symphony and was named by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the most “prominent additions” to the ensemble. Previously, he served as principal bass of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, performed with the Metropolitan Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, and served as guest principal with the National Arts Center Orchestra in Canada. As a chamber musician, he has performed with such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Julia Fischer, Wu Han, Joseph Silverstein, Yefim Bronfman, and members of the Emerson, St. Lawrence, Miro, and Pacifica Quartets. He can often be heard at the Music at Menlo and Music in the Vineyards festivals and on television and radio programs including NPR’s “Performance Today”. Formerly active as a jazz musician and electric bassist, he worked with greats Michael Brecker, Geoff Keezer, and James Williams, and performed in venues from Birdland in New York to Fasching in Stockholm. Mr. Pingel has taught masterclasses at prestigious institutions such as Curtis, Julliard, Colburn, Manhattan School of Music, the Shanghai Conservatory, and the New World Symphony, and is currently a faculty member of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Mr. Pingel’s primary instructors were James Clute, Peter Lloyd, and Timothy Cobb. He earned a B.M. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a M.M. degree from Manhattan School of Music, and spent two years as a fellow at the New World Symphony.