The Kansas City Symphony in Missouri has appointed JOSH JONES as principal percussion, starting with the 2020-21 season. Jones goes to the Kansas City Symphony from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in Alberta, Canada, where he was principal percussionist. Prior to that, Jones participated in fellowships at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra designed to advance the careers of Black musicians. A native of Chicago, Jones began formal music studies in fourth grade with the Percussion Scholarship Program led by Chicago Symphony Orchestra percussionist Patricia Dash and Lyric Opera percussionist Douglas Waddell. While in the program, Jones was featured on NPR’s “From the Top,” NBC’s “TODAY Show” and PBS/WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight.” Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University School of Music and pursued additional academic studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Carnegie Mellon University. Jones has authored a percussion-method book series, Spatial Studies for Hitting Things, and writes on musical and philosophical topics.
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