FluteSarah Tuck

Sarah Tuck has been a member of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra since 1993. From 1998-2004 she was Acting Principal Flute of both the SDSO and the San Diego Opera. 

Previously, Ms. Tuck was Principal Flute of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Savannah Symphony. She has recently played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Detroit Symphony. 

As a concerto soloist Ms. Tuck has performed with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in Bach’s Suite No. 2 and Brandenburg Concerti Nos. 2 and 5, and she performed a Vivaldi concerto with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Italy. She is an active solo recitalist and chamber musician in San Diego. 

Sarah received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music from Indiana University and was a scholarship student of Jeanne Baxtresser in the Orchestral Performance program at the Manhattan School of Music. She grew up near Syracuse, NY, and graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. 

GETTING TO KNOW SARAH TUCK…

Q: What are your favorite three tunes or pieces on your iPod/Mp3 or CD collection? 

A: This is the hardest question! Barthold Kuijken playing Handel Sonatas (on Baroque Flute), excerpts from Der Rosenkavalier and Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road.” Ask me again tomorrow if you want a completely different answer. 

Q: What is your favorite travel destination? 

A: As I write this I am about to embark on a month-long trip with no planned destination. 

Q: What do you love most about San Diego (other than the weather)? 

A: The abundance of amazing backcountry and wilderness to explore. Also that it’s a big city that still feels like a small town. 

Q: How did you choose your instrument? 

A: I loved the sound of the flute. All the 5th grade girls wanted to play flute (because it is small, I think) so the Band Director was making us all play clarinet or trumpet. I got a letter from my orthodontist saying that because of my braces I could only play flute or drums, so I was allowed to play flute. 

Q: What is your choice for dining in San Diego? 

A: I have a favorite mom-and-pop Greek diner which is like my 2nd kitchen. I also love and believe in farm-to-table places like The Linkery (sadly now closed). 

Q: Where might you be found on a Saturday night if you’re not performing with the Orchestra? 

A: Camping! 

Q: What is your favorite San Diego Symphony Orchestra memory? 

A: Giving a speech and playing Dvořák’s 9th to thank the Jacobs’ for their amazing gift in January 2002.