Violist Derek Mosloff, who received his Bachelor of Music degree in 2010, landed a coveted spot in the New World Symphony.
The New World Symphony prepares highly gifted graduates of distinguished music programs for leadership roles in orchestras and ensembles around the world. The Miami Beach-based professional training orchestra was established in 1987.
“As a teacher, I am absolutely thrilled to have former student Derek Mosloff winning an audition for such a prestigious program,” said Jonah Sirota, Assistant Research Professor, Artist-in Residence and Violist with the Chiara String Quartet at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “This honor, coming only two years after Derek’s graduation with a Bachelor of Music degree from UNL, really highlights Derek’s hard work and perseverance. It is a great example of the quality of work being done every day by our student musicians.”
Mosloff was unable to participate in their regular auditions for the fellowship during the school year. He, instead, participated in the substitute list auditions held each summer at the Tanglewood Music Festival.
“I was really excited to get notified that I would be called to sub and thought I’d get to fly down to Miami a few times to play with the group,” Mosloff said. “But then a few weeks later, I was contacted again, and they said they were adding a full time position and asked if I was interested in taking it.”
He was thrilled to accept the position.
“I got the call literally two days after moving into a new apartment in Boston, and so my wife and I stopped unpacking and started planning how to get down. It was a very joyful whirlwind of activity,” he said.
He started his new position on Sept. 4 and can stay for three years at New World Symphony.
“During this time, they give you paid time off to audition for other groups around the world, which makes it an ideal location for someone to hunt for a permanent position,” Mosloff said.
There are typically around 85 Fellows in the New World Symphony.
“I’m looking forward to working with the absolute top conductors in the world, not the least of which is our Artistic Director, Michael Tilson Thomas,” Mosloff said. “I’m also looking forward to working alongside other musicians, who I know I’m going to end up seeing all throughout my professional life, as they’re the very top of what they do, and forging great connections, all while playing our tremendously rich repertoire of orchestral pieces.”
Sirota says Mosloff’s selection demonstrates the quality of musicians being trained in the School of Music.
“It also, I believe, reflects on a conscious effort by the entire string faculty to grow the UNL program into one of national distinction,” Sirota said. “I look forward to hearing about more good things from Derek and from our many other gifted alumni spread throughout the country.”
Mosloff said his training at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and his work with the Chiara String Quartet helped him land this prestigious new endeavor.
“My time at UNL was so beneficial and instructive, and I played in various chamber groups, as well as the regular and chamber/opera orchestras,” Mosloff said. “But hands down I have to say I benefited the most from the guidance of the Chiara String Quartet, and especially Jonah Sirota, who was my teacher. His help has been absolutely critical ever since I started to figure out the viola, and he has remained a great mentor and friend all these years. The whole quartet has been a collective beacon for myself and my colleagues, who have gone through the music program.”
Mosloff just completed his Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston in May. He is an avid solo and chamber musician and was an active performer in the Boston area, serving as the principal viola of the Orchestra of Indian Hill, as well as a violist in the Discovery Ensemble, among others. He was invited to solo in Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante” with Boston’s Symphony by the Sea on 24 hours notice.
In 2008, he was awarded a fellowship to Tanglewood Music Center, and he was invited to return for the 2009 and 2010 seasons and as a New Fromm player for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.