Bebo Shiu

Bebo Shiu is an active Double Bass freelancer in Greater Boston and the Director of String Ensembles at Bridgewater State. He also serves on the Board of Directors at the BMA, the local chapter of the musicians union.

Bebo performing on the Esplanade with the Pops on July 4, 2019

THEN:

Before COVID struck, Bebo was regularly contracted to perform with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, BMOP, Odyssey Opera, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, Cantata Singers, Portland Symphony, Masterworks Chorale, New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, and the Austin Symphony in Texas! Also, Bebo conducts the String Ensemble, teaches private lessons, and teaches an American Popular Music course at Bridgewater State University. In summary, his schedule was always happily full to the brim with rehearsals, performances, conferences, in-person meetings, and teaching.

 NOW:

March 10, 2020 Bebo was in the dress rehearsal of Faure Requiem with the Cantata Singers Orchestra and Chorus. During the break, the conductor made the heartbreaking decision to cease the rehearsal and cancel the concert weekend everyone had worked so hard for. By the next day, Bebo’s phone was ringing off the hook with cancellation after cancellation.

Since that fateful night, Bebo has lost 70% of his teaching and performance income. He has relied on unemployment Insurance as well as other relief assistance programs, including the New England Musicians Relief Fund. 

Bebo on a live-stream concert for Landmarks

Bebo still practices six hours a day in his South Shore house, but the lack of performing with his colleagues has certainly taken its toll, emotionally as well as financially.

HOPE:

One silver lining of the shut down has been the extra time Bebo has had to devote to causes he cares deeply about. Bebo formed and co-leads an Anti-Racism Committee for the Boston Musicians’ Association and applied for and was awarded a grant to revitalize and perform women and minority composers’ music at Bridgewater State.

Bebo hopes that businesses, leaders, and entrepreneurs have realized the importance of live music and how it affects the local economy. In addition, he sincerely hopes that we can all take this time to promote change in diversity, equality, and inclusion so when we can gather together again, we will be stronger and more united.