Tim Higgins to Chicago
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
I haven't seen any kind of official announcement, but it's been posted on Facebook that Tim Higgins, Principal Trombone of the San Francisco Symphony since 2008, will succeed Jay Friedman at the Chicago Symphony.
Congratulations to him!
Congratulations to him!
- baBposaune
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Jan 21, 2019
Wow. That's great!
- hornbuilder
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: May 02, 2018
I have thought he would be a prime candidate for some time. Wonderful news!
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
On the Audition Forum, it said that he still has to play a couple of trial weeks (contractual for the CSO) before a Principal player can be officially engaged by the CSO. Just putting it out there to wait for the official announcement.
He's a great player, and I would guess this is a formality, but things don't always go as expected. I'm a fan of his playing and of his arranging too!
Jim Scott
He's a great player, and I would guess this is a formality, but things don't always go as expected. I'm a fan of his playing and of his arranging too!
Jim Scott
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Fingers crossed!
- BassBoneFL
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Aug 14, 2018
Paul Welcomer is gonna feel lonely at the next section hang.... Nick went to Houston, Chris to St Louis, and now Tim to Chicago
- Rrova
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Apr 10, 2018
Congrats to Tim! I've been listening to the recordings he's posted on youtube and have been enjoying them very much! Looks like Chicago will stay all Bach, at least for a little while longer.
- Savio
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Apr 26, 2018
Congratulations to Timothy Higgins! Have to admit I never heard much about him so I listen a lot to him on spotify and youtube. Even a podcast or an interview we called it in the old days :biggrin: Anyway, after listening him a lot I know his style of playing will fit exactly in to the Chicago orchestra. And he has that good pitch and sound. Most of all; the musicality wich is not overdone or kind of "made". It's just honest. So I got very relaxed after listening him. They made the perfect choice :good:
The interview, which is on internet, got me even more relaxed. He seems to be a very open person. Humor, and an inspiring teacher. And he knows how to mix a good drink! But I think the openness is the most important for the gig he goes into. The Chicago brass is about another level of openness, listening and adjust to each other. "All for one, one for all"
I would give all the money in the world to just play 2 minutes with the Chicago Orchestra. :good:
(And they would probably give all the money in the world to avoid that!! :lol: :lol: :lol: )
Leif
The interview, which is on internet, got me even more relaxed. He seems to be a very open person. Humor, and an inspiring teacher. And he knows how to mix a good drink! But I think the openness is the most important for the gig he goes into. The Chicago brass is about another level of openness, listening and adjust to each other. "All for one, one for all"
I would give all the money in the world to just play 2 minutes with the Chicago Orchestra. :good:
(And they would probably give all the money in the world to avoid that!! :lol: :lol: :lol: )
Leif
- JeffBone44
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Oct 24, 2022
[quote="Savio"]Congratulations to Timothy Higgins! Have to admit I never heard much about him so I listen a lot to him on spotify and youtube. Even a podcast or an interview we called it in the old days :biggrin: Anyway, after listening him a lot I know his style of playing will fit exactly in to the Chicago orchestra. And he has that good pitch and sound. Most of all; the musicality wich is not overdone or kind of "made". It's just honest. So I got very relaxed after listening him. They made the perfect choice :good:
The interview, which is on internet, got me even more relaxed. He seems to be a very open person. Humor, and an inspiring teacher. And he knows how to mix a good drink! But I think the openness is the most important for the gig he goes into. The Chicago brass is about another level of openness, listening and adjust to each other. "All for one, one for all"
I would give all the money in the world to just play 2 minutes with the Chicago Orchestra. :good:
(And they would probably give all the money in the world to avoid that!! :lol: :lol: :lol: )
Leif[/quote]
Do you have a link to the interview?
The interview, which is on internet, got me even more relaxed. He seems to be a very open person. Humor, and an inspiring teacher. And he knows how to mix a good drink! But I think the openness is the most important for the gig he goes into. The Chicago brass is about another level of openness, listening and adjust to each other. "All for one, one for all"
I would give all the money in the world to just play 2 minutes with the Chicago Orchestra. :good:
(And they would probably give all the money in the world to avoid that!! :lol: :lol: :lol: )
Leif[/quote]
Do you have a link to the interview?
- Savio
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Apr 26, 2018
If you search "trombone retreat podcast" you will find it. Long interview.
Leif
Leif
- JeffBone44
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Oct 24, 2022
[quote="Savio"]If you search "trombone retreat podcast" you will find it. Long interview.
Leif[/quote]
Thank you!
Leif[/quote]
Thank you!
- BrianJohnston
- Posts: 1165
- Joined: Jul 11, 2020
Anyone have info on his equipment? I know he’s an ultimate brass artist and Bach, but is his bell corporation? Can’t tell what valve from the pictures
- rmb796
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Sep 05, 2018
Hi
What is a "Sawday" 42?
That is a new one to me.
Thanks
Randy
What is a "Sawday" 42?
That is a new one to me.
Thanks
Randy
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
- Rrova
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Apr 10, 2018
[quote="Savio"]If you search "trombone retreat podcast" you will find it. Long interview.
Leif[/quote]
That was a great interview!
Leif[/quote]
That was a great interview!
- slipmo
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Apr 13, 2018
[quote="Burgerbob"]it's a Sawday 42, I believe it's an 80s bell.[/quote]
We made Tim two Sawday/Brassark 42s. Both are corporation bells, our valves and seamed slide crooks and seamed nickel MV42 leadpipe. One 42 has a cut bell flare (I think he prefers this one) and the other is not cut. While we were building them, Tim flew down from SF to LA and worked with both Don Sawday and I in Don's shop and we put the horn together for him.
Unfortunately we no longer do these conversions. I think we made around 20 of them in total, including 3 Elkhart 88hs, with the rest being Bach 42 conversions.
We made Tim two Sawday/Brassark 42s. Both are corporation bells, our valves and seamed slide crooks and seamed nickel MV42 leadpipe. One 42 has a cut bell flare (I think he prefers this one) and the other is not cut. While we were building them, Tim flew down from SF to LA and worked with both Don Sawday and I in Don's shop and we put the horn together for him.
Unfortunately we no longer do these conversions. I think we made around 20 of them in total, including 3 Elkhart 88hs, with the rest being Bach 42 conversions.
- Tbarh
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Aug 16, 2018
[quote="slipmo"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="274709" time="1746200457" user_id="3131">
it's a Sawday 42, I believe it's an 80s bell.[/quote]
We made Tim two Sawday/Brassark 42s. Both are corporation bells, our valves and seamed slide crooks and seamed nickel MV42 leadpipe. One 42 has a cut bell flare (I think he prefers this one) and the other is not cut. While we were building them, Tim flew down from SF to LA and worked with both Don Sawday and I in Don's shop and we put the horn together for him.
Unfortunately we no longer do these conversions. I think we made around 20 of them in total, including 3 Elkhart 88hs, with the rest being Bach 42 conversions.
</QUOTE>
Seamed slide crooks still available?
it's a Sawday 42, I believe it's an 80s bell.[/quote]
We made Tim two Sawday/Brassark 42s. Both are corporation bells, our valves and seamed slide crooks and seamed nickel MV42 leadpipe. One 42 has a cut bell flare (I think he prefers this one) and the other is not cut. While we were building them, Tim flew down from SF to LA and worked with both Don Sawday and I in Don's shop and we put the horn together for him.
Unfortunately we no longer do these conversions. I think we made around 20 of them in total, including 3 Elkhart 88hs, with the rest being Bach 42 conversions.
</QUOTE>
Seamed slide crooks still available?
- JeffBone44
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Oct 24, 2022
[quote="Rrova"]<QUOTE author="Savio" post_id="274432" time="1745918072" user_id="3155">
If you search "trombone retreat podcast" you will find it. Long interview.
Leif[/quote]
That was a great interview!
</QUOTE>
Yes, I just finished listening to it. Fantastic! Now I'm listening to the Marshall Gilkes interview. I'll eventually get to all of them.
If you search "trombone retreat podcast" you will find it. Long interview.
Leif[/quote]
That was a great interview!
</QUOTE>
Yes, I just finished listening to it. Fantastic! Now I'm listening to the Marshall Gilkes interview. I'll eventually get to all of them.
- Wilco
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mar 24, 2019
Last night live concert on Dutch television, CSO in Amsterdam. Sounded great! #mahler 7
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
[quote="Wilco"]Last night live concert on Dutch television, CSO in Amsterdam. Sounded great! #mahler 7[/quote]
I've seen a couple of clips on YouTube - CSO is at the Mahler Festival in Amsterdam, after having a short Mahler Festival in Chicago. Tim appears to be playing 2nd, with Mulcahy playing Principal. Maybe he was already booked to fill in before the audition.
Jim Scott
I've seen a couple of clips on YouTube - CSO is at the Mahler Festival in Amsterdam, after having a short Mahler Festival in Chicago. Tim appears to be playing 2nd, with Mulcahy playing Principal. Maybe he was already booked to fill in before the audition.
Jim Scott
- Wilco
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mar 24, 2019
- Wilco
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mar 24, 2019
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="CalgaryTbone"]I've seen a couple of clips on YouTube - CSO is at the Mahler Festival in Amsterdam, after having a short Mahler Festival in Chicago. Tim appears to be playing 2nd, with Mulcahy playing Principal. Maybe he was already booked to fill in before the audition.[/quote]
Apparently the Chicago Symphony played both Mahler 6 and Mahler 7 at the Amsterdam Festival. (Wish I'd been there!)
Apparently the Chicago Symphony played both Mahler 6 and Mahler 7 at the Amsterdam Festival. (Wish I'd been there!)
- A. The tenor horn solo at the beginning of #7 sure sounds like Mick Mulcahy.
- B. I wouldn't be surprised if Mulcahy played some principal for a while, or if they "trade off" a bit, as Higgins gets integrated to the trombone section.
- C. The CSO is still a great orchestra!
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
I doubt that there is any period of "getting integrated". As I said in a previous post, a statement on the Audition Forum said that the CSO has a policy in their auditions that all of the winners of a Principal position must pass through a successful trial period with the orchestra before they are fully granted the job - not too unusual for many orchestras (different from tenure, which is a longer process).
I was just surprised to see him playing 2nd, but I would guess that that trial is scheduled at another time, and Mulcahy had already been contracted to play Principal on the tour - also not unusual for another member of the section to be contracted to move into a Principal position on a temporary basis while it's vacant. Tim may have even been offered a couple of weeks with the orchestra on 2nd before the audition even took place.
Anyway, I was just expressing surprise to see the new Principal playing in the section, but I guess it's just a coincidence of scheduling. It wasn't meant as any kind of "gotcha" moment, or criticism of anyone or of the orchestra. I'm sure we'll see Tim playing in the chair in the fall.
Jim Scott
I was just surprised to see him playing 2nd, but I would guess that that trial is scheduled at another time, and Mulcahy had already been contracted to play Principal on the tour - also not unusual for another member of the section to be contracted to move into a Principal position on a temporary basis while it's vacant. Tim may have even been offered a couple of weeks with the orchestra on 2nd before the audition even took place.
Anyway, I was just expressing surprise to see the new Principal playing in the section, but I guess it's just a coincidence of scheduling. It wasn't meant as any kind of "gotcha" moment, or criticism of anyone or of the orchestra. I'm sure we'll see Tim playing in the chair in the fall.
Jim Scott
- Savio
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Apr 26, 2018
Jim, what is going to be the future of the Chicago brass? They are a little bit old all of them? I hope they will sound that good in the future?
Leif
Leif
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
People said the same thing when Herseth, Jacobs, Crisafulli and Kleinhammer were all retiring (not at the same time, but all fairly close to each other). The Chicago Symphony kept on playing with new great brass players, and they will continue with the next generation that follows the current players. Of course it's not exactly the same, but I would expect that the tradition of excellence will carry on.
Jim Scott
Jim Scott
- Kdanielsen
- Posts: 609
- Joined: Jul 28, 2019
Esteban Batalan is a god. All these clips the CSO put on facebook etc. sound incredible. Amazing trumpet playing.
- elmsandr
- Posts: 1373
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="Kdanielsen"]Esteban Batalan is a god. All these clips the CSO put on facebook etc. sound incredible. Amazing trumpet playing.[/quote]
Isn’t he going to Philly?
Cheers,
Andy
Isn’t he going to Philly?
Cheers,
Andy
- Rrova
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Apr 10, 2018
[quote="elmsandr"]<QUOTE author="Kdanielsen" post_id="276305" time="1747616307" user_id="7231">
Esteban Batalan is a god. All these clips the CSO put on facebook etc. sound incredible. Amazing trumpet playing.[/quote]
Isn’t he going to Philly?
Cheers,
Andy
</QUOTE>
He decided to stay in Chicago.
Esteban Batalan is a god. All these clips the CSO put on facebook etc. sound incredible. Amazing trumpet playing.[/quote]
Isn’t he going to Philly?
Cheers,
Andy
</QUOTE>
He decided to stay in Chicago.
- fsgazda
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Jun 24, 2018
[quote="elmsandr"]<QUOTE author="Kdanielsen" post_id="276305" time="1747616307" user_id="7231">
Esteban Batalan is a god. All these clips the CSO put on facebook etc. sound incredible. Amazing trumpet playing.[/quote]
Isn’t he going to Philly?
Cheers,
Andy
</QUOTE>
He spent most of the last season in Philadelphia, but is apparently returning to Chicago. I'm pretty bummed that he's leaving, because I've never heard anything like his playing. I was really looking forward to Mahler 5 next year in Philly.
Esteban Batalan is a god. All these clips the CSO put on facebook etc. sound incredible. Amazing trumpet playing.[/quote]
Isn’t he going to Philly?
Cheers,
Andy
</QUOTE>
He spent most of the last season in Philadelphia, but is apparently returning to Chicago. I'm pretty bummed that he's leaving, because I've never heard anything like his playing. I was really looking forward to Mahler 5 next year in Philly.
- mwthomas10
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Jul 24, 2024
I'm so glad I found this thread because it answered all of my questions lol. "Where can I learn more about him?" the podcast interview. "Why was he playing 2nd in the Amsterdam videos?" He was already a sub for them and probably contracted that before the audition results were decided. "What's his gear?" We got the maker himself confirming the designs.
Also bonus information for learning Batalan is staying! I usually read and don't comment, but man this site is the best.
Also bonus information for learning Batalan is staying! I usually read and don't comment, but man this site is the best.
- Mikebmiller
- Posts: 961
- Joined: Mar 27, 2018
Does anybody know who the other candidates were for this position? Somehow I did not get invited to audition.
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
So it's official now that Tim Higgins is the new CSO Principal Trombone - his official start in the chair is the beginning of the 25/26 season. San Francisco is going to have to start looking for almost an entire section with the retirements and moves to other positions.
Congratulations to Tim!
Jim Scott
Congratulations to Tim!
Jim Scott