Chicago Symphony to start season with new principal trombonist
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra announced Tuesday that Timothy Higgins is its new principal trombone. He will appear in that role for the first time officially at this week’s season-opening concerts.
Higgins won the final audition in April when his superb solo playing as guest principal in Klaus Mäkelä’s performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 appears to have sealed his winning the position. He succeeds principal Jay Friedman who retired this month after a remarkable 63 seasons with the CSO.
Higgins has served as principal of the San Francisco Symphony since 2008 when he was appointed by Michael Tilson Thomas. Prior to that he was acting second trombonist with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, and had also performed with several leading American ensembles.
A native of Houston, Higgins received his B.A. from Northwestern University where he studied with CSO trombonist Michael Mulcahy among others. Higgins is also active as a composer and arranger, and premiered his own Trombone Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony in 2021.
Higgins is music director designate Klaus Mäkelä’s second CSO hire, following violinist Gabriela Lara in January.
Posted in News
One Response to “Chicago Symphony to start season with new principal trombonist”
Leave a Comment
Subscribe via RSS.
Posted Sep 16, 2025 at 1:45 pm by Gretchen & Roger Tickle
Congratulations, Tim. The CSO is fortunate to have you and your impressive talent.