Joshua Roman

Joshua Roman is the principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Roman joined the orchestra at age 22 in June 2006 [cite news
last = Borchert
first = Gavin
title = Post Alley: Last Night at Benaroya
publisher = Seattle Weekly
date = 2006-06-23
url = http://www.seattleweekly.com/arts/blogs/postalley/2006/06/last_night_at_benaroya.php
accessdate = 2007-04-11 ] , becoming the youngest principal player in Seattle Symphony history.

In January 2008, Roman announced that he will be resigning his position as principal cellist at the end of the 2007–2008 season in order to pursue a solo career. [cite news | last = Campbell | first = R.M. | title = Cellist is leaving SSO for a solo career | publisher = The Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = 2008-01-31 | url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/classical/349536_roman01.html | accessdate = 2008-02-06 ]

Critical Praise

Critics have praised Joshua Roman’s performances since he first stepped on the stage at Benaroya Hall. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer declared his premiere performance an "auspicious beginning", noting that "Roman played with ease and confidence, the sound relaxed and singing, the phrasing shapely, the tone well projected seemingly without effort." [cite news
last = Kiraly
first = Philippa
title = Orchestra kicks off season with bang
publisher = The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
date = 2006-09-18
url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/ae/285425_ss018q.html
accessdate = 2007-04-11 ] Melinda Bargreen of The Seattle Times has cited Roman’s "heart-stopping beauty... big, succulent tone and impassioned style." [cite news
last = Bargreen
first = Melinda
title = Powerful pianist is a joy for the eyes and ears
publisher = The Seattle Times
date = 2007-02-03
url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2003553239_symp03.html
accessdate = 2007-04-11 ]

Musical Style

Joshua Roman often performs exciting repertoire that highlights his eclectic musical tastes and his youthful energy. He is an avid promoter of contemporary music, Roman has premiered many works—including his own original compositions—as well as solos, sonatas and concertos written solely for him.

Joshua Roman has also been known to perform at local nightclubs or abstract venues, mixing jazz, rock and bluegrass with the classical repertoire. Roman has also worked with several rock bands—his cello can be heard on MTV and radio stations nationwide. Along with his siblings Roman frequently travels to Uganda where they perform for thousands of schoolchildren, playing in hospitals, camps and refugee centers in Kampala and Gulu.

Background

An Oklahoma native, Joshua Roman studied under Lacy McLarry, Gregory Sauer and Peter Spurbeck prior to attending the Cleveland Institute of Music. At Cleveland, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance in 2004 studying with Richard Aaron, and his Masters Degree in 2005 under Desmond Hoebig.

Awards

Roman has won top prizes at numerous competitions including the Klein, ASTA, Washington, Stulberg, NFMC, H-A Music Society, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, CIM, Cleveland Cello Society and Buttram. He has performed as a member of Cleveland Orchestra, and soloed with a number of symphony and chamber orchestras including the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, the Wyoming Symphony, and the Oklahoma Philharmonic.

References

External links

* [http://joshuaroman.net/ Joshua Roman's home page]
* [http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/meet/orchestra.aspx Seattle Symphony Orchestra members]