Prior to joining the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Loren Brown served as principal cello of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for 10 years. While in Milwaukee, he also was principal cello of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra and performed in Pro Musica Nova, a new music ensemble, in addition to giving numerous recitals and concerto and chamber music performances.
Appointed by eighth music director Sir Georg Solti in 1985, Brown performed extensively with Chicago Pro Musica, the Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Chicago Symphony Chamber Players. With these and other ensembles, he has concertized extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Australia, and he has participated in several chamber music tours in Japan. Also in Japan, Brown served on the faculty of the Affinis Arts Foundation summer festival.
He was a featured soloist with the CSO in David Ott’s Concerto for Two Cellos and also performed in the Chicago and New York premieres of Arvo Pärt’s Passio with the Hilliard Ensemble of London.
Brown’s early career began in Washington, D.C., where he spent four years as a member of the U.S. Navy String Quartet, performing for dignitaries at the White House and the Department of State. Also while in Washington, he was principal cello of the National Gallery Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra.
After nearly 40 years of service, Brown retired from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2024. He and his wife, cellist Anne Monson, live in Oak Park with their daughter, Paloma.
