Just in: American wins Vienna Philharmonic audition
mainThe Vienna State Opera tells us the Kelton Koch has won the audition for a vacancy in its trombones. He starts work on January 1 and will be eligible for a place in the Vienna Philharmonic after a three-year probation period.
Kelton Koch, who has been playing in the orchestra’s academy since last month, is a student of former Vienna Phil principal Ian Bousfield.
Congrats to Kelton!! Finally they have a full trombone section since 2012. They have had at least two Americans in trombones before Kelton – Jeremy Wilson (2007-2012) and his predecessor William McElheney (1981-2005) in 2nd trombone. If I’m wright, Kelton’s position is 2nd and 3rd / tenor and bass position which was previously held by Mark Gaal who moved to bass trombone position in section.
So, they also have the Wechselposaune position? Interesting to know.
Yes! They have two principal positions, two 2nd positions and 2 bass positions. One of those 2nd positions doubling 1st + also bass trumpet and euphonium when needed and other is wechsel (2/3 + bass). When I’ve readed bios of Jeremy Wilson and Mark Gaal (in german bio) I learn that things! But if somebody knows more – he/she can fix my answers to correct
https://jeremywilsonmusic.com/bio/
https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/mitglied/personid/1035
Artie Middleton also played in the section in the 1970s
*Wookiee call*
Axl, many thanks for your information about the VPO trombones. I talked to Ian Bousfield laast time he came to Chicago with the VPO. Arutunian’s concerto for trombone was then new. Bousfield said he had talked to Arutunian about it.
This is fair…
American in Vienna and European in Chicago