CSU - Department of Music - Faculty & Staff - Alphabetical Listing

Claude Sim

Assistant Professor of Violin

(970) 491-2431 | claude.sim@colostate.edu

Claude Sim has been the Associate Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony since 1999. He frequently appears as soloist with the orchestra. The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News have praised his “lustrous tone and poise,” calling his performances “impressive.” He graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Greg Fulkerson, Almita Vamos, and Roland Vamos.

An active chamber musician, he has been a guest first violinist of the critically acclaimed Miró String Quartet. He has also collaborated as violist with the Pacifica Quartet, and has presented chamber music concerts and masterclasses across the United States. Claude is a frequent guest artist at the Strings in the Mountains Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Additionally, he is a substitute violinist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Among his diverse musical interests is his passion for Argentine tango. He has been a member of Extasis, a tango band frequently praised for their uncompromising approach in bridging classic tango with a modern sound. Their first album in production includes works by Astor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese, among others.

Claude also has a studio recording to his credit, entitled “Time With You”. This CD of classic jazz standards features Dave Hanson, Ron Bland, Todd Reid, and special guest trumpeter Greg Gisbert. Claude enjoys playing at local Denver jazz clubs, including Dazzle and El Chapultepec.

Other projects include a commissioned work by composer Dave Hanson. This piece is written for solo violin and orchestra and incorporates improvisation in live performance.

Claude performs on a 1759 Michele Deconet violin.