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, 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 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, 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 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:
Substitute Trombone, New York Philharmonic, 2018, 2019
Euphonium, Substitute Trombone, Seattle Symphony/Opera, 2008-2017
Euphonium, Grant Park Music Festival, 2015
Substitute Trombone, Zurich Opera, 2015
Euphonium, Substitute Trombone, Chicago Symphony, 2014
Euphonium, Substitute Trombone, Boston Symphony, 2014
Bass Trumpet and Substitute Trombone, National Symphony Orchestra, 2005-2007, 2014
Substitute Trombone, Baltimore Symphony, 2014
Substitute Trombone, Cincinnati Symphony, 2013, 2003
Principal Trombone, Seattle Opera Ring Cycle, 2013, 2009
Principal Trombone, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, 2010-2011
Principal Trombone (one year), Utah Symphony and Opera, 2009-2010
Bass Trumpet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2009
Principal Trombone, Sarasota Orchestra, 2007-2009
Substitute Trombone, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, 2008-2009
Substitute Trombone, Jacksonville Symphony, 2008
Trombone, US Navy Band, 2004-2008
Co-Principal Trombone, Fairfax Symphony, 2006-2008
Bass Trumpet, Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, 2007
Second Trombone (one year), Oregon Symphony, 2003-2004
Principal and Assistant Principal Trombone, San Antonio Symphony, 2000-2007
Bass Trumpet, Houston Symphony, 2003
Extra/Substitute Trumpet, Bass Trumpet, Tenor Tuba, San Francisco Symphony, 1999-2002
Extra/Substitute Trombone, Oregon Symphony, 1998-2001
Second Trombone, Monterrey County Symphony, 1997-2000
Second Trombone, Vallejo Symphony, 1998-2000
Disneyland All-American College Band, 1994
Discography:
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2014: Second Trombone, Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Symphony No. 4, Robert Spano
Seattle Opera, 2014: Principal Trombone, Wagner Ring Cycle
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2013: Second Trombone, Sibelius Symphonies No. 6 & 7, Robert Spano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2009: Bass Trumpet, Strauss Elektra, Donald Runnicles
Seattle Symphony Orchestra, 2009: Extra Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 8, live recording, Gerard Schwarz
United States Navy Band, 2007: Malguena Trombone Quartet with band, various Marches and Band Literature
Oregon Symphony, 2003: Second Trombone, Tragic Lovers, Wagner Overture to Tristan and Isolde, James DuPriest
San Francisco Symphony, 2001, 2002: Assistant Principal Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Michael Tilson Thomas
3rd Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas
3rd Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas
Southern Music Recordings, 2001: Solo Euphonium, Various new releases through Southern Music Publishing
Acting Principal Trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2014-16, 2018-Present
Associate Principal Second/Utility Trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2011-Present
Orchestral Experience:
Substitute Trombone, New York Philharmonic, 2018, 2019
Euphonium, Substitute Trombone, Seattle Symphony/Opera, 2008-2017
Euphonium, Grant Park Music Festival, 2015
Substitute Trombone, Zurich Opera, 2015
Euphonium, Substitute Trombone, Chicago Symphony, 2014
Euphonium, Substitute Trombone, Boston Symphony, 2014
Bass Trumpet and Substitute Trombone, National Symphony Orchestra, 2005-2007, 2014
Substitute Trombone, Baltimore Symphony, 2014
Substitute Trombone, Cincinnati Symphony, 2013, 2003
Principal Trombone, Seattle Opera Ring Cycle, 2013, 2009
Principal Trombone, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, 2010-2011
Principal Trombone (one year), Utah Symphony and Opera, 2009-2010
Bass Trumpet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2009
Principal Trombone, Sarasota Orchestra, 2007-2009
Substitute Trombone, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, 2008-2009
Substitute Trombone, Jacksonville Symphony, 2008
Trombone, US Navy Band, 2004-2008
Co-Principal Trombone, Fairfax Symphony, 2006-2008
Bass Trumpet, Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, 2007
Second Trombone (one year), Oregon Symphony, 2003-2004
Principal and Assistant Principal Trombone, San Antonio Symphony, 2000-2007
Bass Trumpet, Houston Symphony, 2003
Extra/Substitute Trumpet, Bass Trumpet, Tenor Tuba, San Francisco Symphony, 1999-2002
Extra/Substitute Trombone, Oregon Symphony, 1998-2001
Second Trombone, Monterrey County Symphony, 1997-2000
Second Trombone, Vallejo Symphony, 1998-2000
Disneyland All-American College Band, 1994
Discography:
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2014: Second Trombone, Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Symphony No. 4, Robert Spano
Seattle Opera, 2014: Principal Trombone, Wagner Ring Cycle
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2013: Second Trombone, Sibelius Symphonies No. 6 & 7, Robert Spano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2009: Bass Trumpet, Strauss Elektra, Donald Runnicles
Seattle Symphony Orchestra, 2009: Extra Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 8, live recording, Gerard Schwarz
United States Navy Band, 2007: Malguena Trombone Quartet with band, various Marches and Band Literature
Oregon Symphony, 2003: Second Trombone, Tragic Lovers, Wagner Overture to Tristan and Isolde, James DuPriest
San Francisco Symphony, 2001, 2002: Assistant Principal Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Michael Tilson Thomas
3rd Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas
3rd Trombone, Mahler Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, Michael Tilson Thomas
Southern Music Recordings, 2001: Solo Euphonium, Various new releases through Southern Music Publishing