The Horn Signal is proudly brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Join hosts John Snell and Preston Shepard as they interview horn players around the world. Today's episode features David Cooper, associate principal horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
About David:
David Cooper is recognized as one of the best horn players of his generation, known for his lyrical phrasing and exceptional technique. He was appointed Principal Horn of the New York Philharmonic in May 2026 by Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel.
Cooper's orchestral career began as Acting Principal Horn with the Victoria Symphony and Co-Associate Principal Horn of the Fort Worth Symphony. He then served as Principal Horn of the Dallas Symphony (joining as Third Horn in 2011 and becoming Principal Horn in 2013), Solo Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Associate Principal Horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
He has won Principal Horn positions with the National Symphony Orchestra (2013) and the San Francisco Symphony (2023), and has been guest Principal Horn with numerous orchestras worldwide, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Seoul Philharmonic, Sinfónica de Minería in Mexico, Liceu Opera in Barcelona, London Symphony Orchestra, Utopia Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He joined the Oslo Philharmonic on its 2024 European Tour as Principal Horn under Chief Conductor Klaus Mäkelä.
Cooper maintains an active schedule as an international soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and festival orchestra performer. He has also participated in numerous film and TV soundtracks, including the most recent Superman, Moana 2, Hoppers, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Dedicated to inspiring and cultivating the next generation of musicians, Cooper coaches and presents masterclasses internationally. He founded Horns for Hope, Inc., a non-profit supporting young musicians in underserved communities, and served as Artist Faculty at Roosevelt University and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Born in Lansing, Michigan, into a musical family, Cooper began horn studies with Dr. Dale Bartlett and joined the Michigan State University Orchestra while in high school. He received his Bachelor's degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, where he received a Tanglewood Fellowship, and spent three summers at Marlboro Music Festival. His primary instructors are Jerome Ashby and Eric Ruske.
Cooper's discography includes the album "Berkeley, Brahms, Leshnoff: Horn Trios" with violinist Alexander Kerr and pianist Orion Weiss, and two solo albums, "Impressions" and "A French Horn and Piano Collaboration" with pianist Cary Chow. These are available on all streaming platforms.
