12 Aug 2026
Season 6 Episode 1: Christoph Wichert
In this episode, Christoph Wichert shares his journey from classical beginnings to a professional career in music, offering valuable insights into orchestra life, practicing, and performance etiquette. Discover practical tips for musicians and get a glimpse of upcoming concerts and tours with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Christoph shares insights on contemporary music, the importance of cultural diversity in composition, and practical advice for young musicians navigating their careers. Discover how to foster creativity, build networks, and embrace experimentation in the world of classical and contemporary music.
Biography:
Austrian bassoonist and artistic researcher Christoph Karl Wichert has been a member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 2008. He graduated from the Conservatory of Vienna, where he studied Bassoon Performance under Michael Werba (Principal Bassoon, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) and Music Education, further enhancing his training through masterclasses with leading musicians.
In Vienna, Christoph was regularly invited to work with prominent Viennese ensembles such as the Wiener Kammerorchester. He also worked as a substitute musician for the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborating with renowned conductors like Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa, Mariss Jansons, Riccardo Muti, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
An active soloist, Christoph has performed in various recitals and with orchestras, showcasing concertos by Mozart, Weber, Pauer, and Hartl, among others. Before relocating to Singapore, he served as Principal Bassoonist with the Orchester der Vereinigten Bühnen Wien for their productions and taught bassoon, music theory, and symphonic wind band at the music school in Tulln. There, he successfully prepared students for admission to prestigious music universities and co-founded a composition workshop with his colleague Cordula Bösze.
Beyond his role with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Christoph teaches at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore Contemporary and Experimental Music and is a guest artist at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music in Bangkok.
In 2015, Christoph co-founded SETTS, Singapore’s first fully professional contemporary music ensemble, alongside other dedicated musicians.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Christoph Wichert's Musical Journey
02:19 Starting with Classical Music and Early Influences
04:16 The Sound That Inspired a Career in Bassoon
05:00 Moving to Vienna and Studying the Bassoon
07:00 Transition from Austria to Southeast Asia
08:50 Balancing Freelance Work and Orchestra Positions
11:44 Auditioning in Frankfurt and Singapore
12:43 The Singapore Symphony Orchestra Opportunity
14:22 Deciding to Stay in Singapore
15:04 Memorable Concerts with the Singapore Symphony
16:55 Upcoming Tours and Concerts
20:52 Working with the New Chief Conductor, Hannu Lintu
23:06 Tips for Second Bassoon Players
37:26 Encouraging Students and Practice Mindset
39:01 Handling Mistakes and Performance Anxiety
40:24 The Power of Frustration and Growth Mindset
41:18 The Joy of Improvisation and Experimental Music
