New York Philharmonic Appoints Arizona Musicfest's Frank Huang as New Concertmaster

The New York Philharmonic has announced Chinese-born American violinist,

Frank Huang as their new Concertmaster. Huang has served as the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra Concertmaster for the last two seasons and intends to return to the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra in February 2016.

A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, Frank is a former prize winner at the Walter W Naumburg, Paganini, Hannover and Indianapolis International Violin Competitions.

The Philharmonic has been conducting an ongoing 2 year search for a new leader, to succeed Glenn Dicterow, who retired at the end of last season - after 34 years in the Principal Chair.

Frank, 36, who has served as Concertmaster of the Houston Symphony Orchestra since 2010, will commence his appointment at the beginning of the 2015/16 season.

Music Director, Alan Gilbert has said in a statement that he and the musicians on the search committee came to a unanimous decision on Mr Huang - who has "just the right mix of virtuosity, flair, musicality, and collegiality."

Arizona Musicfest Artistic Director Robert Moody commented, "I have known Frank as a member of the phenomenal Ying Quartet, as concertmaster with chamber orchestras, and most notably and proudly, as concertmaster of our Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra. In every instance in which I have heard him play, he reaches the highest level of violin genius for which one could hope. He is simply one of the finest players I've ever worked with, and I'm so proud that he is part of our Musicfest family!"

About Frank Huang

Arizona Musicfest Concertmaster Frank Huang has held that post with the Houston Symphony since 2010. Previously, he was First Violinist of the Ying Quartet and a faculty member at The Eastman School of Music.

He is currently on the faculty at Rice University and the University of Houston. As First Prize Winner of the 2003 Walter W. Naumburg Foundation's Violin Competition and the 2000 Hannover International Violin Competition, Mr. Huang has an established solo career, performing with orchestras internationally. He is also committed to chamber music, having attended Marlboro Music Festival, Ravinia's Steans Institute, Seattle Chamber Music Festival, and Caramoor Festival. He performs in a trio with pianist Gilles Vonsattel and cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, and is also Concertmaster and Leader of the Sejong Soloists.
About Arizona Musicfest

Arizona Musicfest annually presents top artists of classical, chamber, jazz, Broadway, country, blues, opera, bluegrass, and pop music in exceptional programs at venues throughout Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona.

At the heart of each annual Festival is the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Robert Moody, and comprised of musicians from America's finest orchestras, including; the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and many others. These superlative players-many of whom return to Musicfest year after year-come to Arizona for a one week residency to perform four symphonic programs for capacity crowds. In addition, the Festival features the 100-voice Arizona Musicfest Chorus, one of the region's top choral ensembles.