Boston Symphony announces new horn player

Horn player Austin Ruff is now a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

He will join the ensemble this fall.

“I am very excited to join the horn section of the Boston Symphony Orchestra,” said Ruff, who fills the position vacated by Jonathan Menkis after his retirement in 2018. “I have been fortunate to be able to work and study with the section last time. this summer at Tanglewood Music Center and joining such a supportive and collaborative group is an honor. I’m beyond excited to make music with my new colleagues and Maestro Nelsons in Boston this fall! »

Ruff, who is a member of Tanglewood, comes from the Omaha Symphony where he is associate principal horn. He has also performed with orchestras such as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Kansas City Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

“We are pleased to welcome new member of the brass section, Austin Ruff, to the Boston Symphony Orchestra,” added Music Director Andris Nelsons. “I conducted Austin for the first time at the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra last summer, and it is always a joy to be able to continue making music with the alumni of this wonderful program, including so many BSO musicians ( including three of the four new musicians this month) season) have graduated. As we prepare for a busy performance season, culminating with our appearance at the Leipzig Shostakovich Festival in 2025, Austin’s talent and musicality will be a wonderful addition to the magnificent sound of our orchestra.

Ruff is the latest in a series of personnel changes for the Boston Symphony, which recently announced a new concertmaster and new members.