By Charles Lefebvre

McCoy graduate plays with Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Aug 5, 2017 | 6:07 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A passion for music has taken Fiona Chisholm to places she never thought she would go.

Chisholm, who graduated from Monsignor McCoy High School in 2008, recently sat in with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last month, the second time in a year she has had the opportunity to do so.

“It’s humbling,” she said over the phone from Chicago earlier this week. “You feel honoured to be up there, and grateful for the opportunity. It’s an incredible learning experience in every kind of way.”

Chisholm, who plays the French horn, joined band in junior high in 2002.

“I’ve always been interested in music, so when I went to junior high, I thought the logical thing was to use band as one of my electives,” she said.

What's On

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in April

Apr 01, 2026

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: March 27-29

Mar 27, 2026

What's On

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: March 20-22

Mar 20, 2026

“I ended up playing the French horn by chance. One of my friends was also playing it, so I chose that instrument so I could sit beside her. I think I stuck it out longer than she did.”

Chisholm praises her junior high band teacher, Jim Schmid, for encouraging her to develop her talent.

“He spoke to my parents at parent teacher interviews and told them they should get me enrolled in private lessons,” she said.

After playing the French horn all the way through high school, Chisholm decided to pursue music as a career.

“I was more under the impression of trying to be happy, and doing something that makes me happy,” she said.

Chisholm is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge, and completed her masters at DePaul University last year. While studying at DePaul, she met two members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who asked her if she would be interested in playing with the orchestra. Chisholm played for the first time in March 2016, and recently played with the orchestra again in July.

“It’s indescribable,” she said. “At the same time, you’re really awe- struck because your surround by these very incredible musicians, but at the same time, you have to play well.

“Mistakes are going to happen, but there’s a higher level you need to achieve when you’re up there.”

Chisholm says she is waiting for another opportunity to go on stage with the orchestra.

She encourages anyone with a passion to follow it, because you never know where you’re going to end up.

“I never would’ve thought back in junior high that I would’ve ended up here,” she said.