Matthew McKay, who just joined the Oregon Symphony percussion section this season, has won a position in the venerable Boston Symphony. He will be joining former OSO cellist Adam Esbensen, who left for the BSO in 2008.
Problematic for the Oregon Symphony percussion section is that the runner-up in the audition that Matt won here in Oregon was also a winner in the BSO auditions, and so a new round of percussion auditions will have to be held to fill the vacancy. It’s a good problem to have, hiring such great people. We just have to enjoy them while we can.
I know that all of us at the Oregon Symphony will miss Matt’s stellar musicianship and wonderful personality, but wish him all the best in his new gig.