Meadows Music Alum wins major Symphony position

Matthew Ernst (M.M. trumpet performance ’06 and M.M. conducting ’07) has been named principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, beginning in fall 2014. He will also serve as principal trumpet for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Ernst previously served as acting principal trumpet with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and, from 2007 to 2012, was associate principal trumpet of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans. A dedicated educator, he has also held teaching positions at the University of Virginia, the University of New Orleans and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

Before moving to New Orleans, Ernst worked as a freelance musician in Dallas, playing principal trumpet with the Las Colinas Symphony and performing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and Dallas Wind Symphony. Ernst’s principal teacher at SMU Meadows was Tom Booth, chair of winds and percussion in the Division of Music and a long-time member of the DSO. He also studied with John Kitzman, adjunct professor of trombone and principal trombonist of the DSO; Greg Hustis, adjunct professor of horn and principal horn emeritus of the DSO; and Jack Delaney, director of bands, professor of music and conductor of the Meadows Wind Ensemble.

“My time at SMU is very special to me, and it remains one of the biggest reasons for my success,” said Ernst. “Mr. Booth is a world-class person and pedagogue, and his insightful lessons still resonate today, from a relaxed approach to learning how to be my own teacher. He consistently leads by example, and provides the golden standard of professionalism.

“I also studied with both Mr. Kitzman and Mr. Hustis, and their experience as well as musicianship were invaluable to my growth. Dr. Delaney took me on as a conducting student in my last year, and learning music in a different perspective from someone so brilliant has proven extremely useful throughout my career. At SMU, I was able to learn and grow in a unique environment, with conservatory-like instruction from Dallas Symphony members, but with a university atmosphere, where time was given so freely by the faculty.”

For more information, see the Cincinnati Symphony press release.