Assumes new role after serving as Acting Principal Cello and Assistant Principal Cell

Nashville, Tenn. (April 12, 2019) – The Nashville Symphony and Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero announced today that Kevin Bate has been awarded the position of Principal Cello. Bate joined the orchestra in 2015 and served as both Assistant Principal Cello and Acting Principal Cello prior to his new position.

“Since joining the Nashville Symphony, Kevin has proven to be an invaluable asset to this orchestra,” Guerrero said. “Along with leading the section, the Principal Cello plays an important role in a wide range of repertoire, and Kevin’s high level of musicianship makes him the perfect fit for this position. As we look ahead to our many commissioning and recording projects, as well as our deepening impact in the community, I look forward to collaborating with Kevin on helping to guide our orchestra’s continued growth and evolution.”

An active soloist and chamber musician, Bate has performed as a featured soloist with orchestras throughout Europe and North America. He also serves as Principal Cellist of Orchestra Kentucky and plays cello in the Gloriosa Piano Trio. He has previously served as Principal Cellist and performed as a soloist with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the Eykamp String Quartet, he also held the position of Artist-in-Residence at the University of Evansville.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bate studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, Germany. He received a Bachelor degree from DePauw University and a performance diploma from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he studied with János Starker.

Photos of Kevin Bate are available upon request.