This past week, PYSO Alum Kenken Gorder (Trumpet 2013-16) visited Pittsburgh from Austin, TX where he has made his musical home for the past few years. In addition to being able to take in a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concert on Saturday, he wrote that it was “rejuvenating” to have the chance to sit in with the trumpet section at the PYSO rehearsal on Sunday night.
Kenken has been wearing many musical hats in Austin. From freelance musician, music collaborator, and trumpet teacher, to producing events and recording sessions at KMFA 89.5 (Austin’s Classical Radio Station), as well as self-producing his soon-to-be-released interdisciplinary project NÜTOOTS that features solo, duo, and trio pieces commissioned by him for this project.
“Being in PYSO from 2013-2016 while I was a student at IUP influenced and informed the trajectory of my musical/artistic career. The exposure to great conductors like Larry Loh, Maestro Honeck, Leonard Slatkin, and Francesco Lecce-Chong during my time was invaluable to my development as a musician.”
Some of his most memorable concert experiences with PYSO were performing Mahler’s “Totenfeier” at the Stephansdom in Vienna with Mo. Loh conducting on the 2014 Central Europe Concert Tour; Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” (with Mo. Loh conducting) in 2015 and Holst’s “The Planets” (with Mo. Lecce-Chong conducting) in 2016, both Heinz Hall concerts.
Check out Kenken’s website for more information about his upcoming releases: kenkengorder.com/
It was wonderful to catch up with Kenken and hear about all the fantastic ways he’s been thriving! #PYSOProud.