Joshua Roman
Encyclopedia
Joshua Roman was the principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony
Orchestra from 2006 until 2008. Roman joined the orchestra at age 22, becoming the youngest principal player in Seattle Symphony
history.
In January 2008, Roman resigned his position as principal cellist at the end of the 2007–2008 season in order to pursue a solo career.
. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
declared his premiere performance an "auspicious beginning", noting that "Roman played with ease and confidence, the sound relaxed and singing, the phrasing shapely, the tone well projected seemingly without effort." Melinda Bargreen of The Seattle Times has cited Roman’s "heart-stopping beauty... big, succulent tone and impassioned style."
Joshua Roman has also been known to perform at local nightclubs or abstract venues, mixing jazz, rock and bluegrass with the classical repertoire. Roman has also worked with several rock bands—his cello can be heard on MTV
and radio stations nationwide. Along with his siblings Roman frequently travels to Uganda
where they perform for thousands of schoolchildren, playing in hospitals, camps and refugee
centers in Kampala
and Gulu
.
native, Joshua Roman studied under Lacy McLarry, Gregory Sauer and Peter Spurbeck prior to attending the Cleveland Institute of Music
. At Cleveland, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance in 2004 studying with Richard Aaron, and his Masters Degree in 2005 under Desmond Hoebig.
, and soloed with a number of symphony and chamber orchestras including the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, the Wyoming Symphony, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic
.
Seattle Symphony
The Seattle Symphony is an American orchestra based in Seattle, Washington. Since 1998, the orchestra is resident at Benaroya Hall. The orchestra's season runs from September through July, and serves as the pit orchestra for most productions of the Seattle Opera in addition to its own concerts...
Orchestra from 2006 until 2008. Roman joined the orchestra at age 22, becoming the youngest principal player in Seattle Symphony
Seattle Symphony
The Seattle Symphony is an American orchestra based in Seattle, Washington. Since 1998, the orchestra is resident at Benaroya Hall. The orchestra's season runs from September through July, and serves as the pit orchestra for most productions of the Seattle Opera in addition to its own concerts...
history.
In January 2008, Roman resigned his position as principal cellist at the end of the 2007–2008 season in order to pursue a solo career.
Critical Praise
Critics have praised Joshua Roman’s performances since he first stepped on the stage at Benaroya HallBenaroya Hall
Benaroya Hall is the home of the Seattle Symphony in Downtown Seattle, Washington, USA. It features two auditoria, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, a 2500-seat performance venue, as well as the Nordstrom Recital Hall, which seats roughly 500...
. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is an online newspaper and former print newspaper covering Seattle, Washington, United States, and the surrounding metropolitan area...
declared his premiere performance an "auspicious beginning", noting that "Roman played with ease and confidence, the sound relaxed and singing, the phrasing shapely, the tone well projected seemingly without effort." Melinda Bargreen of The Seattle Times has cited Roman’s "heart-stopping beauty... big, succulent tone and impassioned style."
Musical style
Joshua Roman often performs exciting repertoire that highlights his eclectic musical tastes and his youthful energy. He is an avid promoter of contemporary music, Roman has premiered many works—including his own original compositions—as well as solos, sonatas and concertos written solely for him.Joshua Roman has also been known to perform at local nightclubs or abstract venues, mixing jazz, rock and bluegrass with the classical repertoire. Roman has also worked with several rock bands—his cello can be heard on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and radio stations nationwide. Along with his siblings Roman frequently travels to Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
where they perform for thousands of schoolchildren, playing in hospitals, camps and refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
centers in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
and Gulu
Gulu
Gulu is a city in Northern Uganda. It is the commercial and administrative centre of Gulu District. The city is located at 2˚46'48N 32˚18'00E, on the metre gauge railway from Tororo to Pakwach. Gulu is located approximately , by road, north of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
.
Background
An OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
native, Joshua Roman studied under Lacy McLarry, Gregory Sauer and Peter Spurbeck prior to attending the Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland Institute of Music
The Cleveland Institute of Music is an independent music conservatory located in the University Circle district of Cleveland, Ohio, United States and is overseen by president Joel Smirnoff and Adrian Daly, dean....
. At Cleveland, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance in 2004 studying with Richard Aaron, and his Masters Degree in 2005 under Desmond Hoebig.
Awards
Roman has won top prizes at numerous competitions including the Klein, ASTA, Washington, Stulberg, NFMC, H-A Music Society, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, CIM, Cleveland Cello Society and Buttram. He has performed as a member of Cleveland OrchestraCleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
, and soloed with a number of symphony and chamber orchestras including the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, the Wyoming Symphony, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic
Oklahoma City Philharmonic
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic is the most prominent performing orchestra in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and its environs.- History :The first Oklahoma City orchestra was formed as early as 1924. The Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1938 with Ralph Rose conducting its inaugural season...
.