Chicago Symphony Names New Principal Horn

After a long period of no sounds within Orchestra Hall, the Chicago Symphony has finally returned to their seats. Back to playing magnificent music, the Orchestra has also completed its trial period for Principal Horn by naming David Alan Cooper as the new leader of the legendary horn section.

In 2013, the Principal Horn seat became vacant when Dale Clevenger retired after 47 years with the CSO. During this waiting period of multiple auditions, Daniel Gingrich was the Acting Principal Horn.

Cooper is certainly no stranger to playing in the spotlight for major orchestras. Having been the Principal Horn of the Dallas Symphony since 2013, Cooper won a Principal Horn slot with the Berlin Philharmonic in 2016 only to then return to the Dallas Symphony in 2018. A third-generation horn player, Cooper performed with the Michigan State music ensembles as a teenager. After his time in Michigan, Cooper studied horn at the Curtis Institute of Music, Tanglewood, and the Marlboro Music Festival.

In addition to becoming the new Principal Horn of the CSO, Cooper is in the final stages of releasing a new solo album. More to come!

Congratulations to David on this accomplishment!