Biography
Nathan Zgonc is currently the Acting Principal of the Atlanta Symphony and holds the Associate Principal Second/Utility Trombone chair since the 2011 season. Before this appointment, Mr. Zgonc played Principal trombone in the Vancouver Symphony, Principal trombone in the Utah Symphony and Opera, Principal trombone in the Sarasota Orchestra, Principal and Second trombone in the San Antonio Symphony, and trombone in the United States Navy Band and the Oregon Symphony.
In 2013 and 2009, he spent the Summer as the Principal Trombone with the Seattle Opera for Wagner's Ring Cycle. He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Symphony, Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, and the Aspen Music Festival.
Nathan has received numerous awards including Special Prizewinner at the Budapest International Trombone Competition and First place at the Zellmer, Frank Smith Memorial, and Robert Marsteller Solo Competitions.
Originally from Fairview, Oregon, Mr. Zgonc earned his education at Indiana University, San Francisco Conservatory, and Manhattan School of Music. He is featured on recordings with the Atlanta Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Oregon Symphony, US Navy Band, and Seattle Symphony and Opera.
On September 18, 2010, Nathan Zgonc gave the world premiere of Aura by Tony DiLorenzo, in honor of his mother, the late Lorely Zgonc. In 2020, he published his first book of Daily Routines.
Nathan is on faculty at Emory University, Slide School, and the Southeast Trombone Symposium. He spends his time off with his wife, Karen, and their two sons, Jason and Tristan.
"Notable were the many fine solos by the CSO musicians, including concertmaster Timothy Lees, associate principal cellist Daniel Culnan and trombonist Nathan Zgonc." Music in Cincinnati, October 2013
"Bold up-and-down trombone slides played in exceptionally smooth arcs by Nathan Zgonc, among many notable moments." ArtsATL.com, November 2012
In 2013 and 2009, he spent the Summer as the Principal Trombone with the Seattle Opera for Wagner's Ring Cycle. He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Symphony, Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, and the Aspen Music Festival.
Nathan has received numerous awards including Special Prizewinner at the Budapest International Trombone Competition and First place at the Zellmer, Frank Smith Memorial, and Robert Marsteller Solo Competitions.
Originally from Fairview, Oregon, Mr. Zgonc earned his education at Indiana University, San Francisco Conservatory, and Manhattan School of Music. He is featured on recordings with the Atlanta Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Oregon Symphony, US Navy Band, and Seattle Symphony and Opera.
On September 18, 2010, Nathan Zgonc gave the world premiere of Aura by Tony DiLorenzo, in honor of his mother, the late Lorely Zgonc. In 2020, he published his first book of Daily Routines.
Nathan is on faculty at Emory University, Slide School, and the Southeast Trombone Symposium. He spends his time off with his wife, Karen, and their two sons, Jason and Tristan.
"Notable were the many fine solos by the CSO musicians, including concertmaster Timothy Lees, associate principal cellist Daniel Culnan and trombonist Nathan Zgonc." Music in Cincinnati, October 2013
"Bold up-and-down trombone slides played in exceptionally smooth arcs by Nathan Zgonc, among many notable moments." ArtsATL.com, November 2012
Current Position:
Acting Principal Trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2014-16, 2018-Present
Associate Principal Second/Utility Trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2011-Present
Orchestral Experience:
Seattle Opera - Principal Trombone, “Ring Cycle” - 2009, 2013
Vancouver Symphony - Principal Trombone - 2010-2011
Utah Symphony and Opera - Principal Trombone - 2009-2010
Sarasota Orchestra - Principal Trombone - 2007-2009
San Antonio Symphony - Principal and Assistant/Second Trombone - 2000-2007
Oregon Symphony - Acting Second Trombone - 2003-2004
Guest Musician:
Baltimore Symphony
Boston Symphony
Chicago Symphony
Cincinnati Symphony
Grant Park Music Festival
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra
Houston Symphony
Jacksonville Symphony
Kennedy Center Opera
National Symphony Orchestra
New York Philharmonic
Oregon Symphony
Philadelphia Orchestra
San Francisco Symphony
Seattle Symphony
Zurich Opera
Discography:
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Gandolfi, Prior, & Oliverio: Orchestral Works
Michael Kurth: Everything Lasts Forever
Jonathan Leshnoff: Zohar & Symphony No. 2 “Innerspace”
Vaughan Williams: Dona nobis pacem, Symphony No. 4 & The Lark Ascending
Sibelius Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7, and Tapiola
Christopher Theofanidis: Creation/Creator World Premiere
Bass Trumpet, Strauss Elektra, Donald Runnicles (2009)
Seattle Opera
Principal Trombone, Wagner Ring Cycle, Asher Fisch (2013)
Seattle Symphony
Second Trombone, Rimsky Korsakov Russian Easter, Gerard Schwarz (2011)
Extra Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 8, live recording, Gerard Schwarz (2009)
United States Navy Band
Malaguena Trombone Quartet with band (2007)
Trombone on various Marches and Band Literature (2004-2008)
Oregon Symphony
Second Trombone, Tragic Lovers, Wagner Overture to Tristan and Isolde, James DuPriest (2003)
San Francisco Symphony
Assistant Principal Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Michael Tilson Thomas (2004)
Third Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas (2004)
Third Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas (2004)
Acting Principal Trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2014-16, 2018-Present
Associate Principal Second/Utility Trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2011-Present
Orchestral Experience:
Seattle Opera - Principal Trombone, “Ring Cycle” - 2009, 2013
Vancouver Symphony - Principal Trombone - 2010-2011
Utah Symphony and Opera - Principal Trombone - 2009-2010
Sarasota Orchestra - Principal Trombone - 2007-2009
San Antonio Symphony - Principal and Assistant/Second Trombone - 2000-2007
Oregon Symphony - Acting Second Trombone - 2003-2004
Guest Musician:
Baltimore Symphony
Boston Symphony
Chicago Symphony
Cincinnati Symphony
Grant Park Music Festival
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra
Houston Symphony
Jacksonville Symphony
Kennedy Center Opera
National Symphony Orchestra
New York Philharmonic
Oregon Symphony
Philadelphia Orchestra
San Francisco Symphony
Seattle Symphony
Zurich Opera
Discography:
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Gandolfi, Prior, & Oliverio: Orchestral Works
Michael Kurth: Everything Lasts Forever
Jonathan Leshnoff: Zohar & Symphony No. 2 “Innerspace”
Vaughan Williams: Dona nobis pacem, Symphony No. 4 & The Lark Ascending
Sibelius Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7, and Tapiola
Christopher Theofanidis: Creation/Creator World Premiere
Bass Trumpet, Strauss Elektra, Donald Runnicles (2009)
Seattle Opera
Principal Trombone, Wagner Ring Cycle, Asher Fisch (2013)
Seattle Symphony
Second Trombone, Rimsky Korsakov Russian Easter, Gerard Schwarz (2011)
Extra Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 8, live recording, Gerard Schwarz (2009)
United States Navy Band
Malaguena Trombone Quartet with band (2007)
Trombone on various Marches and Band Literature (2004-2008)
Oregon Symphony
Second Trombone, Tragic Lovers, Wagner Overture to Tristan and Isolde, James DuPriest (2003)
San Francisco Symphony
Assistant Principal Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Michael Tilson Thomas (2004)
Third Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas (2004)
Third Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas (2004)