For more than 50 years, the brass section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has reigned pre-eminent. But recent developments signal change. First came word that Jay Friedman, principal trombone since 1965, would retire. Although not yet … » Read

David Francis is to be the new chief executive of the Three Choirs Festival, an annual event first held in 1715 that rotates among the cathedral cities of Hereford, Worcester, and Gloucester. He succeeds Alexis Paterson, in the position since … » Read

The Metropolitan Opera has extended the contract of its Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, through 2029–30, just as the Philadelphia Orchestra extended his music directorship last February.  Nézet-Séguin, … » Read

The international trombone community is sharing the news of an opening at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the principal chair, currently occupied by the last surviving Fritz Reiner brass appointment, Jay Friedman, hired in 1962 and named … » Read

The musical instrument sellers’ trade organization, National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), has selected Julia Rubio as the new executive director of the NAMM Foundation. She succeeds Mary Luehrsen, who is retiring after 22 years, … » Read

The Philadelphia Orchestra has added four new musicians to its ranks. Among them is assistant double bassist Tobias Vigneau, arriving just months after completing his Bachelor of Music degree at the Curtis Institute of Music. He succeeds Joseph … » Read

John Mangum, executive director and CEO of the Houston Symphony since 2018, is to be the new general director, president & CEO of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, effective in the fall. He succeeds Anthony Freud, who announced last September that … » Read

The San Francisco Symphony, facing financial and artistic leadership hurdles, also seems to be undergoing a fair amount churn within its ranks. At the end of the season the orchestra saw five players representing 180 years of experience retire; … » Read

William Gibbons will become the new dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as of August 1. He succeeds Mary Simoni, professor of performing arts technology, dean since 2011 and … » Read

The Colburn School’s Music Academy has named Margaret Batjer as its new director. The American violinist has been a member of the Academy’s faculty since 2015, and will now join the Conservatory faculty, meanwhile resigning in 2026 … » Read