David Binder

David Binder joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in September 2015, and since 2018 is a summertime member of the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, performing Principal and Second Trombone. David also frequently appears as Guest Principal Trombone with orchestras such as the Chicago, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh symphony orchestras, and internationally with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the DSO, he was the Co-Principal Trombone of the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki, Finland for three seasons.

David is a prizewinner of numerous solo competitions, including Grand Prize wins at the American Trombone Workshop, International Trombone Festival, International Women’s Brass Conference, and Southeast Trombone Symposium.

A Chicago native, he completed his Bachelor’s of Music with Brass Department Honors at Northwestern University, studying with Michael Mulcahy, Timothy Higgins, and Randall Hawes. Concurrent during his undergraduate at Northwestern, he was also a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and studied additionally with Jay Friedman. During his time in Europe, David travelled extensively to study with prominent trombonists on the continent, including Ian Bousfield and Jamie Williams. During the coronavirus pandemic and while maintaining a full orchestra schedule in Detroit, David went back to school and earned a Master’s of Music at Michigan State University under the guidance of Ava Ordman, as well as studying jazz improvisation with Michael Dease.

David has quickly become sought after as a pedagogue. He has presented masterclasses across the Midwest at Northwestern University, Indiana University, University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon University, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and Bowling Green State University. In Detroit, he maintains a private studio and is heavily involved in the DSO Civic Youth Ensembles program, leading rehearsals and sectionals for low brass students.

David received a 2018 Kresge Artist Fellowship, awarded by Kresge Arts in Detroit, a program of The Kresge Foundation. The Fellowship is awarded in recognition of a demonstrated track record of artistic achievement and high-quality work, and the potential to reflect, enhance, or impact communities within metropolitan Detroit. During the Fellowship year, David extensively concertized in Detroit, presenting new and daring performances of contemporary works for solo trombone and chamber ensemble.