Peter Solomon ’00:
Young Man With a Horn Even though the challenges of being a professional musician are many – working odd hours, including holidays, spending many solitary hours practicing, and being under pressure to perform well – Peter Solomon wouldn’t be anything else: “The most fun thing about my job is the ability to work and travel at the same time.” He credits NA faculty member Amy Emelianoff with his career direction: “Not only did she convince me to start playing the horn but her dedication, passion, and love for music was a constant inspiration. She worked tirelessly to develop the music program at NA, and I was a direct beneficiary of it.”
After graduating from NA, he studied at the New England Conservatory/Tufts Dual Degree program, majoring in English and French Horn Performance, but took a year off in the middle to study music in Hamburg, Germany, where he met his wife, and had his first professional gig. “I became a regular sub for Disney’s musical, Der Koenig der Loewen (The Lion King). If listening to Elton John in German isn’t fun, I don’t know what is,” Solomon laughs. He finished his degrees and graduated from both schools in 2006, and worked professionally as a full-time freelancer. Solomon remembers his freelance days fondly: “I was fortunate enough to play a few times with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which had been my dream since I first decided I wanted to become a professional musician. The quality of musicianship and ability to play in such a rewarding environment has to be my all-time career highlight – something I will never forget.” Eventually Solomon landed a job with an orchestra in South Korea, and is now
passion
&
profession
about to begin work for the Shanghai Symphony
The most fun thing about my job is the ability to work and travel at the same time.
Orchestra. As much as he loves music, however, the most fulfilling aspect of Solomon’s life now is as a new father. “Watching my son grow has been an absolute joy, and far surpasses the joy I get from playing music – as difficult as that might seem. Thankfully, though, I can do both, which makes life even better.” Peter Solomon accepts his appointment to the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra