The Cleveland Orchestra has announced the appointment of four new musicians who will join the esteemed ensemble. Gawon Kim, a violinist, was welcomed last fall, and three additional musicians will join this summer: Zubin Hathi as Principal Timpani and Brandon Mason as Section Bass in July, followed by Peter Nichols as Assistant Principal Timpani and Section Percussion in August. These new appointments contribute to an orchestra where Music Director Franz Welser-Möst has appointed over half of the current musicians.
Gawon Kim, originally from Seoul, began her tenure with the orchestra in the fall of 2024 after completing her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. Zubin Hathi, a Virginia native, takes on the role of Principal Timpani, bringing experience from the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. Brandon Mason, a seasoned bassist, joins from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, where he spent five seasons. Peter Nichols, a percussionist from West Virginia, will serve as Assistant Principal Timpani and Section Percussion, previously holding the Principal Timpanist position with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.
These musicians bring a wealth of experience and academic achievement, with all four having studied at prestigious institutions such as the Curtis Institute of Music and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Their additions are expected to further enhance the orchestra’s rich tradition of excellence and artistic contribution, as many express their honor and excitement to be part of The Cleveland Orchestra’s legacy.
Source: https://files.baskercdn.com/clevelandorchestra/files/2025 Four New Musician Appointments 2025_06_05.pdf