Chicago Sinfonietta Appoints New Principal Double Bass

Bassist Michael Martin will step into the role

Bassist Michael Martin has been appointed as the new Principal Double Bass of the Chicago Sinfonietta.

Previously a double bass fellow in the New World Symphony, Martin has also been a Diversity Fellow with the Cincinnati Symphony and an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He has also appeared in the Milwaukee, St. Louis, San Diego, and Kansas City symphonies, as well as the Minnesota, Saint Paul, and Chicago Symphony Orchestras.

Hailing originally from Allentown, Florida, Martin studied at Northwestern University and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. His teachers have included Tracy Rowell, Andrew Raciti, Owen Lee, and Alexander Hanna.

Alongside his playing, Martin is also the creator of Black Reflections, a three-part panel discussion series on racial justice in music. For this project, he interviewed Black luminaries of classical music and jazz such as Chi-chi Nwanoku, Christian McBride, and Dr. Tammy Kernodle.

Martin has also received mentoring and support from the Sphinx Organization's National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) scheme.

The Chicago Sinfonietta was founded by Paul Freeman in 1987, in response to the lack of opportunity for minority classical musicians, composers, and soloists. The ensemble is currently conducted by Mei-Ann Chen and presents imaginative new works by composers and soloists of color alongside the core repertoire of the canon.