The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Mark Niehaus to symphony president and executive director Wednesday. Niehaus, who will assume the leadership role beginning in the 2012-’13 season, has served as principal trumpet of the MSO since 1998.
He has also served as chairman of the orchestra’s Players’ Council and actively participated on the MSO board. His music background not only traces Milwaukee but also includes New York City, Minneapolis and Miami Beach in Florida.
Niehaus started his career at age 18 while a freshman at The Juilliard School as he played principal trumpet for the New Haven Symphony. He worked with that orchestra for six years. After graduating he became a faculty member of The Juilliard School’s Pre-College division and participated in the Music Advancement Program.
Among his other professional music accomplishments are his 12-year role as principal trumpet of the faculty orchestra at the Eastern Music Festival and his involvement with the Tanglewood Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Pacific Music Festival, Spoleto USA and Colorado Music Festival. From 2006-2009, he belonged to the National Brass Virtuosi, a group of principal players from symphonies in Cleveland, Houston and Milwaukee. In 2011, he served as a lecturer and recitalist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Minneapolis.
Niehaus has also performed several solos for orchestras and been part of recording projects including one with the G. Schirmer Instrumental Library, titled The Trumpet Collection, published by Hal Leonard.
For a complete biography on Niehaus, visit http://www.mso.org.
