Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra welcomes new concertmaster Jinwoo Lee

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: May 9, 2023 6:46 AM CDT

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Ken-David Masur announced the appointment of Jinwoo Lee as concertmaster and holder of the Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair starting in the 2023 - 2024 season.

Lee, currently the first concertmaster of the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen in Germany, was chosen after an extensive international search spanning over four years.

“I am absolutely thrilled and grateful to become a member of this marvelous ensemble,” said Lee in a Monday, May 8 press release. Lee will succeed Frank Almond, who stepped down as concertmaster in 2019 - 2020, and Ilana Setapen, who served as acting concertmaster since September 2020.

Music Director Ken-David Masur noted, “I am thrilled to welcome our new concertmaster Jinwoo Lee to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. His natural leadership gifts as well as his mindful and integrous approach to each work are qualities that will be a tremendous asset to the orchestra and a wonderful gift for Milwaukee audiences.”

Learn more about the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra by clicking here.