Alumni

Alumni

“Symphony in C is to the Philadelphia Orchestra what the Vienna Symphony is to the Vienna Philharmonic (the former is sometimes credited with outplaying the latter).”

David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2010

If you are an alumnus of Symphony in C (formerly The Haddonfield Symphony), we would love to hear from you! Please take a minute to email Pam Brant and let us know what you have been doing.

Alumni Appointments to Major Orchestras

Other Members

From Our Members

In the five years of my tenure as its principal trombonist, Symphony in C was like a greenhouse for me. Through highly demanding professional expectations in a nurturing environment it opened my eyes to the beauty of orchestral music while giving me the tools to handle the challenges faced by an orchestral musician. The institution is a job, a school and a family all at once. Working with a motivated group of musicians under the guidance of a top notch music director presented me with years of enjoyment and musical development. Looking back I can wholeheartedly say that my time with the orchestra has been an immeasurable professional as well as personal stepping stone.

Shachar Israel, Assistant Principal Trombone, The Cleveland Orchestra

Playing with Symphony in C was a major influence in my decision to pursue an orchestral career, for its high musical quality, its professional rehearsal-to-performance schedule, and my enjoyment of making music with fellow students and colleagues. Now, years later, as I greet old music I saw for the first time as a member of Symphony in C, I find myself grateful to the Symphony for giving me the opportunity to learn this music as well as I did that first time around. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Yumi Kendall, Assistant Principal Cello, The Philadelphia Orchestra

Having the opportunity to play with fantastic musicians of the orchestra and an amazing music director, Rossen Milanov, had a tremendous impact on my musical development. My experience as principal bass of Symphony in C has contributed so much to my success as the principal bass of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Rossen Milanov is an amazing musician, conductor and person. I feel extremely lucky to have had an opportunity to work with maestro Milanov.

Alexander Hanna, Principal Bass, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

I joined Symphony in C my last year at Curtis and right after I had won my first position in a professional orchestra with the Cincinnati Symphony. Getting the professional experience of playing with the great musicians of the orchestra, I got a great head start. I was able to go into that experience knowing what it felt like to play in the “real world”. These experiences were musically some of my fondest memories during my early professional years, and I will never forget how valuable they are to me. I excelled from then on in part because of the high quality of the orchestra.

Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

While I was in college as a non-music major, playing in Symphony in C was one of my most important musical outlets. It was a rare chance for me to play in a high-level orchestra with many very talented young musicians, and it was a group in which I met many of the musicians that I am still friends with and collaborate with in other settings.

Jonathan Vinocour, Principal Viola, San Francisco Symphony

Symphony in C gives many young musicians a unique glimpse into the “real world” of professional music making – preparation time for concerts was like that of any professional orchestra. At the same time, the inspiring leadership of Maestro Milanov made the sometimes overwhelming process not only doable but fun! I’ve run into Symphony in C alumni in orchestras all across the country. Thank you Symphony in C for supporting us in our musical endeavors as well as setting up a musical network – relationships that will last throughout our musical careers.

Joseph Conyers, Section Bass, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Playing with Symphony in C meant a lot for my orchestral career. During my time with the orchestra I learned a lot of repertoire, gained understanding of how a great orchestra should sound, and most importantly had so much fun making music with all my friends there and a very supportive audiences.

Mei Ching Huang, Section Violin, New York Philharmonic

Symphony in C gave me my first professional experience as concertmaster, along with adventurous programming and a wonderful music director in Daniel Hege. I’ll never forget the excitement of playing Ein Heldenleben with the orchestra, pulling for my colleagues while knowing that they were wishing me well. After playing there, I knew that I had made the right decision in pursuing an orchestral career.

Nathan Cole, Violin I, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

As my first actual contracted job in a professional orchestra, I couldn’t have asked for a better start than Symphony in C. My exciting time there under then music director Alan Gilbert was a wonderful chance to make music in a nurturing environment. I look back on my concerts there with much respect and thanks as it was a cornerstone of the experience I needed to succeed in my career. That being said… I had a ton of fun there as well!

James Nova, Second/Utility Trombone, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Due to the compact, intense and exhilarating rehearsal and concert schedule while performing with the Symphony in C, I felt more prepared for the demanding and consistently high level of artistry required on a weekly basis as a professional orchestral musician. I remember my time fondly.

Erik Behr, Principal Oboe, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Training orchestras in the United States are few and far between, but Symphony in C leads the way with its world-class musicians, conductors, and administration. This orchestra has afforded me opportunities that are rare in today’s classical music world. Playing with musicians who all adhere to the same high standard of their craft, and rehearsing on a schedule made to mimic that of a professional orchestra, have allowed me to hit the ground running in my own professional career.

Christopher Stingle, Second Trumpet, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Symphony in C combines the youthful enthusiasm of a conservatory orchestra with the maturity and musical standards of a professional ensemble. Without the challenging yet nurturing training I received here, my first years in the NYC Ballet would have been remarkably more difficult.

Harrison Hollingsworth, Principal Bassoon, New York City Ballet Orchestra

Three years of playing with Symphony in C was such a great training experience for me. I learned how to prepare for rehearsals and performances as an orchestra player. Also the repertoire was great, I learned so many of the major orchestral pieces, and today that experience helps me infinitely as a professional orchestra player. I am very grateful that I could play with Symphony in C in the beginning of my career.

Momoko Matsumura, Section Violin, New Haven and Hartford Symphony Orchestra

I loved my experience of performing with Symphony in C while also learning a lot of repertoire. Working with Rossen Milanov (one of the best conductors I experienced in my life), other young musicians at the highest professional level developed in me a great passion for orchestra music making.

Daniel Turcina, Section Violin, Trondheim Symphony; Trondheim Soloists (Norway)

Symphony in C gave me the opportunity to play alongside some of the most talented young musicians in the country. The other musicians inspired me to become even better. It was a fun experience that helped give me further understanding of my role in the symphony orchestra. Maestro Milanov treated us like professionals and I gained a lot of musical insight from his leadership.

Elliott Moreau, Assistant Principal Bassoon, Pacific Symphony