Timothy Higgins joins Chicago Symphony

Timothy Higgins has been appointed as the principal trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), effective from the 2025–26 season. He assumes the Lisa and Paul Wiggin Principal Trombone Chair, succeeding Jay Friedman, who retired after 63 seasons with the CSO.

Higgins, a Houston native and Northwestern University alumnus, was selected following a final audition in April 2025. He had previously served as guest principal trombone with the CSO during performances of Mahler’s Third Symphony under Klaus Mäkelä, as well as Mahler’s Sixth and Seventh symphonies with Jaap van Zweden.

Before joining the CSO, Higgins held the position of principal trombone with the San Francisco Symphony, appointed by Michael Tilson Thomas in 2008. He has also performed with major U.S. orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Milwaukee Symphony.

In addition to his orchestral career, Higgins is a respected composer and arranger. Several major orchestras performed his compositions, and he served as composer-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West. Higgins is also an educator, having taught at institutions such as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Northwestern University.

His appointment marks a new chapter in the CSO’s brass section, continuing its tradition of excellence.

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