The CSO’s Loren Brown and James Ross announce their retirements this fall

Two longtime members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — James Ross, percussion, and Loren Brown, cello, — are set to retire in September after decades of service. Ross will perform his final CSO concert on Aug.18 in the concluding program of the CSO’s summer 2024 residency at Ravinia. Brown, who is currently on sabbatical, last performed with the CSO in 2023.

After their retirements in September, Ross and Brown will receive the Theodore Thomas Medallion for Distinguished Service at a date to be announced.

Ross, who joined the CSO in 1979, will retire after 45 years. Brown, who joined in 1985, will retire after 39 years.

Reflecting on his CSO tenure, Ross said, “I have been so fortunate to work with great musical colleagues in, and to make music with exceptional conductors and soloists across my career. Being on stage to participate in and listen to incredible performances of this amazing orchestra has been a joy and a privilege. I feel lucky that I’ve been able to do that in Chicago and on tour for so many years.”
 
Appointed in 1979 by Music Director Sir Georg Solti, Ross comes from a distinguished musical family. His father, James Ross, also was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra percussion section from 1954 to 1967 under music directors Fritz Reiner and Jean Martinon. After musical studies at Northern Illinois University, the younger Ross performed with the Grant Park Orchestra for six years before joining the CSO.

With the CSO, he has performed under music directors Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim and Riccardo Muti, as well as Principal Guest Conductor Claudio Abbado, Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink and Principal Guest Conductor and Conductor Emeritus Pierre Boulez. Ross credits Albert Payson, a former member of the CSO percussion section, as an important mentor and colleague in his early career. Ross was also the soloist in 1986 subscription concert performances of Milhaud’s Concerto for Percussion, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, and has performed regularly with brass and percussion colleagues in the annual CSO Brass concerts.

Among Ross’ favorite performances were those on the more than 50 domestic and international tours he participated in after joining the CSO.

A dedicated educator, Ross also has served as a percussion coach for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and as an adjunct percussion faculty member at Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music and the Eastman School of Music.

After he retires, Ross looks forward to spending more time with his family and having more opportunities to travel, including a trans-Atlantic trip with his daughter on the Queen Mary 2.

Cello
Loren Brown joined the CSO under Music Director Sir Georg Solti in 1985. This followed 10 years as principal cello of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. While in Milwaukee, he also performed with Pro Musica Nova, a new music ensemble, along with giving numerous recitals, concerto and chamber music performances.

Of his CSO tenure, Brown said, “I find it remarkable that there is such synergy across more than 100 musicians who come together to carry the legacy of this great orchestra to make music at the highest level with the best conductors and soloists. That feeling is very special, and I have felt honored and lucky to be a part of it.” 



Earlier in his career, Brown lived in Washington, D.C., and spent four years as a member of the U.S. Navy String Quartet. He also performed as principal cello of the National Gallery Orchestra and in the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.

During his CSO years, Brown has performed under music directors Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim and Riccardo Muti, as well as Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink and Principal Guest Conductor and Conductor Emeritus Pierre Boulez. In 1992, he was a soloist in the CSO’s first performances of David Ott’s Concerto for Two Cellos, alongside fellow CSO cello Donald Moline.

As a featured member of the CSO cello section, Brown also performed with Yo-Yo Ma in a Silk Road Ensemble concert at Symphony Center during Ma’s tenure as Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant and in Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas brasileiras with distinguished cellist Lynn Harrell and the CSO at Ravinia.

Brown also performed with such ensembles as 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. In Japan, Brown participated in several chamber music tours and served on the faculty of the Affinis Arts Foundation summer festival.

Other CSO concert highlights include Brown’s participation in more than 40 domestic and international tours, including eight tours to Asia and the orchestra’s first tours to Russia and Australia.



In retirement, Brown and his wife, cellist Anne Monson, look forward to living closer to family and friends in Utah and enjoying more travel together.