Interlochen alumnus Brad Gemeinhardt appointed Principal Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
The Interlochen alum and current Valade fellow received the honor in early June.
Brad Gemeinhardt (IAC 94, IAA 94-96), current Valade Fellow at Interlochen Arts Camp, was recently named Principal Horn of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
In a social media release, the Met noted that Gemeinhardt performed Wagner’s “Long Call” from Siegfried among other selections during auditions for the position. The honor comes after a successful stint at Third Horn, a position Gemeinhardt has held at the Met since 2007. He has also been a Guest Principal Horn with both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.
"The Metropolitan Opera has been my musical home for 15 years and I am thrilled to be able to continue playing beautiful music with the greatest musicians and singers in the world in my new position of Principal Horn,” says Gemeinhardt. “My journey to this point has been enormously influenced by my time at Interlochen both as a student and as a faculty member, and I am incredibly thankful for the mentorship, inspiration, and support that I have received from my Interlochen family for almost three decades!"
Gemeinhardt brings a wealth of experience to his alma mater; his professional career has included performances with the San Francisco Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. His work has been featured in Broadway shows, commercial recordings, and motion picture soundtracks.
Gemeinhardt serves on the faculties of the Juilliard School Pre-College Division and Columbia University. As a Valade Fellow at Interlochen, he is one of an elite group of teaching artists who mentor the young musicians of Interlochen Arts Camp. This summer, Gemeinhardt will continue to attend rehearsals and draw from his orchestral background to provide world-class training to Interlochen’s students.
