The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has installed Dr Mark Almond as its next principal horn.
A British hospital doctor from Bolton, he has played associate principal horn in the San Francisco Symphony, co-principal horn of San Francisco Opera Orchestra and third horn of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London.
He inherits the hot seat from David Cooper, who narrowly and controversially failed to obtain tenure.
Other Chicago hires for the new season are Danny Yehun Kim as assistant principal second violin, and double-basses Ian Hallas, Alexander Horton and Andrew Sommer. Justin Vibbard is to be principal librarian.
