The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has appointed two co-principal guest concertmasters, Norwegian violinist David Coucheron and American violinist Kevin Lin, after recently closing its 2023-24 season.
The positions have remained vacant since previous co-chairs Igor Yuzefovich left in 2019 and Cultural Medallion recipient Lynnette Seah resigned that same year.
"We are thrilled to welcome David and Kevin and look forward to the exceptional artistry they will bring to our upcoming performances," SSO wrote on social media. "You can catch David this Saturday in the first concert of our 2024/25 season, Time for Trumpets!"
Norwegian violinist Coucheron is a former concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and began serving in September 2010. He was the youngest concertmaster of any major American orchestra at the time.
Coucheron has worked with several renowned conductors, including Mstislav Rostropovich, Charles Dutoit, Simon Rattle, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Robert Spano. He will perform with the SSO regularly this season and have a tour to Australia in February 2025.
He said he was deeply honored to join the SSO as co-principal guest concertmaster. He noted that his past experiences with the orchestra were highlighted by its musicians' tremendous talent and passion, and he looks forward to contributing to SSO's musical excellence in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Lin, originally from the greater New York area, is the current concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In addition to guesting at the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras, the Houston Symphony, the Taiwan Philharmonic, the SSO, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, he formerly served as co-leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
"I have many fond memories with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, from our first performance together in 2019 to adjudicating at its National Piano & Violin Competition last year," Lin said.
Furthermore, he claimed he was eager to strengthen his relationship with the SSO further in this new role and connect with the Singaporean audiences on a deeper level.
