Ronald Satkiewicz joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1979 under eighth music director Sir Georg Solti. Prior to his appointment, Satkiewicz served as associate concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, first violin of the Columbus String Quartet, and faculty member at Capital University. He also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic while studying with Carroll Glenn at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a performer’s certificate. In addition, he studied with Ivan Galamian at Meadowmount and Albert Bernard at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division. He appeared as soloist with the Detroit and Columbus symphonies, the Rochester and Colorado philharmonics, the Festival Orchestra of Santa Barbara, and the Eastman Philharmonia.
During his 47-year tenure with the CSO, Satkiewicz performed in thousands of concerts at Chicago Symphony Center and on international tours, as well as in numerous chamber music performances in Orchestra Hall, at the Art Institute of Chicago, and on WFMT-FM broadcasts. As a member of a longstanding CSO string quintet, he frequently brought live music to students in Chicago Public Schools and in senior centers. Satkiewicz retired in 2026.
“Playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a unique and incredible experience,” reflected Satkiewicz. “It’s as if you are playing in a giant chamber music ensemble with everyone listening intently to each other and producing a precise and expressive result.”
In his retirement in Portland, Oregon, Satkiewicz looks forward to spending time with his wife Amy Stocker and their family, traveling and pursuing nonmusical interests including entomology, fiction and fishing.
