The National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. has announced two musician retirements at the end of the current season, and three appointments.
The two retiring musicians are cellist JANET FRANK, who has played in the National Symphony Orchestra for 50 years, joining in 1969 after being appointed to the cello section by then-music director Howard Mitchell; and violinist LINDA SCHROEDER, who joined the NSO in 1978, having been appointed by then-music director Mstislav Rostropovich. Three musicians join the NSO: SCOTT CHRISTIAN as assistant principal timpani and percussion; and cellists LOEWI LIN and BRITTON RILEY.
Scott Christian was principal timpani for six years with the West Virginia Symphony, for two years with the Erie Philharmonic, and for a season with the Des Moines Metro Opera. He was a section percussionist at the 2016 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and served as acting principal timpani of the 2015 Cabrillo Festival, the West Virginia Symphony for the 2011-12 season, and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra from 2002 to 2009. He was visiting professor of music at West Virginia State University, and has performed with the Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Fort Worth, and San Diego orchestras. Christian received his bachelor and master of music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Cellist Loewi Lin has performed as a substitute with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and as principal cello with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra since 2015 and Boston Lyric Opera since 2013. He has appeared with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, and Rhode Island Philharmonic, and has been a member of the Florida Grand Opera orchestra since 2009. Lin has participated in music festivals including Ravinia, Tanglewood, and Chautauqua. Lin earned a master’s degree at New England Conservatory and bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa.
Cellist Britton Riley has been a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 2015. He was previously assistant principal cello of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and worked as a teacher, artistic director, and recording engineer. He has played for film, radio, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Live from Orchestra Hall series. Riley participated in the Sphinx and Hellam competitions, and has appeared at U.S. and European festivals. He earned degrees in cello performance and music industry from the University of Southern California, and master of music and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan.
Posted June 12, 2019
