A chat with Matt Howard (part 2 of 2):  more on the world premiere of Pereira’s percussion concerto “Naru”, Gustavo Dudamel’s upcoming final season, and more
Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Philharmonic Society of Orange County

A chat with Matt Howard (part 2 of 2): more on the world premiere of Pereira’s percussion concerto “Naru”, Gustavo Dudamel’s upcoming final season, and more

This is part 2 of my conversation from Tuesday, May 28, with Matthew Howard, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Principal Percussion (part 1 is HERE). We continue our discussion about Naru, the percussion concerto Joseph Pereira wrote for him and the LA Phil receiving it’s premiere this week (Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday in Walt Disney Concert … Continue reading

A chat with Matt Howard (part 1 of 2): LA Phil Principal Percussion talks about how he got started in music, his awesome job, and starts to talk about the origin of “Naru”
Interviews / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Philharmonic Society of Orange County

A chat with Matt Howard (part 1 of 2): LA Phil Principal Percussion talks about how he got started in music, his awesome job, and starts to talk about the origin of “Naru”

Almost all classical musicians start playing their instrument in their youth, usually when their age is still in single digits — some as young as 2-years old are bowing cardboard violins. They spend two decades refining their craft to take multiple auditions, hoping to get paid to play music. Most of them play in a … Continue reading

A chat with Raynor Carroll (Part 2 of 2): post-retirement plans and stories of his successor,  soloing, conductors with whom he’s worked, and much more
Interviews / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

A chat with Raynor Carroll (Part 2 of 2): post-retirement plans and stories of his successor,  soloing, conductors with whom he’s worked, and much more

Here’s Part Two of my interview with Raynor Carroll, the Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic who’ll retire after tonight’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl.  (Part One can be found HERE). In this part, he talks about: Matthew Howard, the musician taking over his orchestra chair once he steps down The challenges of attracting young African-Americans … Continue reading

Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (Summer 2016 edition):  Lots of updates with principal chairs and more
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (Summer 2016 edition): Lots of updates with principal chairs and more

It’s time once again to talk about one of our favorite topics:  musical chairs in major orchestras, particularly the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There has been a lot happening since last we broached the topic, and by the end of the beginning of the 2016/17 season, one current principal will have retired and there’ll be three new … Continue reading