John Shawger

John Shawger was appointed as Principal Horn for the Virginia Symphony’s 2016-17 season after joining the orchestra as 4th horn in the fall of 2015. John has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony and as guest principal with the Filarmónica de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. Originally from Milwaukee, John completed his undergraduate degree in horn performance at Northwestern University in Illinois, also earning a minor in computer science. He continued his studies in the Masters program at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. While at Colburn, John performed in Walt Disney Concert Hall as principal horn under maestros Gustavo Dudamel, James Conlon and Esa-Pekka Salonen with the Colburn Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, John has performed throughout the Hampton Roads, Virginia area with other members of the Virginia Symphony. While in Los Angeles, he performed on the Colburn Chamber Music Society series, collaborating with clarinetist Joaquin Valdepeñas and pianist Jon Kimura Parker. As a founding member of the 2nd Street Brass Quintet, John performed in venues across Los Angeles and California and in the spring of 2014 traveled to Bellingham, Washington for a week-long residency in association with the Bellingham Music Festival. John’s principal teachers include Andrew Bain, Gail Williams, and William Barnewitz.