Alexander Kinmonth
Alexander Kinmonth, 21, is rising in the musical world at at early age.
He's the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's newly hired principal oboist, Mark Stryker of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Stryker writes:
Kinmonth, 21, is a senior at the Juilliard School in New York and scheduled to graduate in May. He'll become one of the youngest principal players in a major American orchestra and one of the youngest titled players in DSO history when he assumes his post. He turns 22 in June.
A DSO press release stated:
After completing his senior year at The Juilliard School in May, Kinmonth with join the DSO roster at the beginning of the 2015-2016 season. His first concert on stage at Orchestra Hall will be Friday, Oct. 2 for Opening Weekend.
Kinmonth succeeds Donald Baker, who held the Principal Oboe position for 41 years and retired in June 2014 playing his final concert at Meadow Brook Music Festival, commemorating the DSO’s first concert at the venue 50 years prior. He also performed his first concert with the DSO at that venue in 1973. Kinmonth was invited to fill the role following the successful completion of two trial weeks during the current classical season.
“From the moment he played his first few notes with the orchestra, it was clear that Alex was exactly who we were looking for,” said DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin. “His sound, intonation and musicianship are extraordinary. Detroit listeners are in for a real treat and we all look forward to welcoming him to the DSO family.”
Kinmonth was selected from a pool of 106 candidates who came to Detroit from around the world to take the audition in December 2014.
