The Berlin Philharmonic recently announced that Jonathon Ramsay won their audition for principal trombone. In 2022, he was appointed principal trombonist of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and is also a fixed member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Ramsay will need to pass a probation period to receive tenture with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Jonathon (Jono) Ramsay was born in Sidney, Australia, and studied with Scott Kinmont at the Sidney Conservatory. At only 20 years old, he won the position of principal trombonist of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. While in Australia, he also performed regularly with the symphony orchestras in Sidney, Melbourne and Adelaide. In 2018, he moved to Berlin to attend the Karajan Academy and study with Olaf Ott.
In 2019, Ramsay won the first prize in the Citta di Porcia and Aeolus solo competitions, and in 2022, he was awarded 2nd prize in the ARD competition. As an active soloist, he has performed with Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Göttinger Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Jono learned the euphonium before picking up the trombone, and now passionately plays of both bass trumpet, bass trombone, sackbut and ophikleide.
It is notable that unlike many premier orchestral positions, this one was only advertised once before a winner was chosen. Ramsay will replace prof. Christhard Gössling, who will retire this summer after 39 years with the orchestra. Jono will join an all-star trombone section also featuring Olaf Ott, Jesper Busk Sørensen, Thomas Leyendecker and Stefan Schulz.
Eyvind Sommerfelt
Online News Coordinator.