RSNO fills key artistic vacancies
Global search finds American as new Principal Tuba and New Zealander as new RSNO Viola
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has made two significant artistic appointments, American John Whitener (29) joining as Principal Tuba and New Zealand-born Francesca Hunt (26) being appointed to the Viola section. John officially took up the position on Thursday (12 November), succeeding previous RSNO Principal Tuba of 39 years, Philip Hore, who retired in June 2008. Francesca officially joined the Orchestra at the start of the 2009:10 Season.
John Whitener was one of 81 candidates from around the world who applied for the position. He gained his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and studied with former Principal Tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Paul Krzywicki. His Post Graduate Diploma was gained from the world-famous Juilliard School of Music in New York where he studied with David Fedderly of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In 2008 John moved to the Netherlands to further his studies under Hendrik-Jan Renes at the Rotterdam Codarts Conservatory. During that time John worked with the Rotterdam Philharmonic and Flemish Radio Orchestras, and in the summer performed at the Verbier Festival Orchestra as well as with the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra with Pierre Boulez. Other conductors John has worked for include Sir Simon Rattle, Valery Gergiev and James Levine.
Accepting the position, John said: “I consider myself amongst the luckiest of tuba players to land such an esteemed position in a first-rate orchestra, especially it being my first full-time appointment. I have had the opportunity to play as a guest with some truly exceptional ensembles and joining the RSNO is, without a doubt, the highlight of my career.”
New RSNO Viola Francesca Hunt was selected from 77 applicants. She graduated from Victoria University School of Music (VUSM) in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours. While studying in New Zealand Francesca held a full-time position in the Vector Wellington Orchestra, performing regularly with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and National Opera companies, and performed as an extra player in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
In 2006 Francesca moved to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Alexander Zemtsov, where she completed a Post Graduate Diploma and a Masters degree. In 2007 she won the Max and Peggy Morgan viola concerto competition at GSMD, and gained a place on the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Future Firsts training scheme. While living in London Francesca worked regularly as an extra player for the London Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the RTE National Symphony of Ireland.
Francesca said of her appointment: “I am delighted to be joining such an institution as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. It is a very exciting time for me and I’m looking forward to the fantastic programmes coming up this Season.”
RSNO Music Director Stéphane Denève: “I'm absolutely thrilled about welcoming John and Francesca to the RSNO family. They are both wonderful musicians who have succeeded in coming through a very demanding audition process. They will now add their musical talent and fresh enthusiasm to the RSNO and this will continue to develop the excellence and the bright future of Scotland’s national orchestra. I very much look forward to working with them.”
For further information please contact Daniel Pollitt, Communications Manager , Email: [email protected]
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