New Principal Bassist for The Philadelphia Orchestra

Double bassist Joseph H. Conyers will become Philly's new Principal Bass, taking up the Carole and Emilio Gravagno Chair

For the principal position at The Philadelphia Orchestra, Joseph Conyers competed alongside more than 100 international bassists in multiple rounds of auditions. This new role comes after serving as the orchestra's Assistant Principal Bass (Mark and Tobey Dichter Chair) since 2010 and Associate Principal Bass since 2017. At the time of his initial hiring, Conyers was the first Black musician to join the Orchestra in 36 years. With his newest role, he is one of the few Black principal players in a major American orchestra.

Currently, Conyers sits on the double bass faculty of The Juilliard School and Temple University in addition to serving as Music Director of the Philadelphia School District’s All-City Orchestra since 2015. He has led the Young Artists Orchestra at Boston University Tanglewood Institute since 2021.

He has previously held positions at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (GA), Grand Rapids Symphony (MI), and Santa Fe Opera (NM).

In addition, Conyers is a Founder and the Vision Advisor of Project 440, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that provides young musicians the environment and tools to thrive individually and within their community. Its initiatives emphasize entrepreneurship, leadership, and service — and aim to teach 21st-century life skills that will serve students throughout their lives.

“From listening to the classic Eugene Ormandy recordings of the famed Philadelphians as a child to hearing that fabulous Philadelphia Sound in person while a student at Curtis, I could only dream to one day be a part of such an historic institution," Conyers said. "Now, in my new role, I'm honored to carry on a bass tradition that has spanned over a century all while encouraging young people all around the world that they, too, can follow in my footsteps. On top of the many artistic adventures that I know await me, this appointment is a catalyst in my quest to continue providing opportunities for young people through the power of music, and I can't wait to get started!”

“Joseph Conyers has been an integral part of The Philadelphia Orchestra, providing exceptional artistic commitment from within the bass section and throughout the community, including as a teacher, mentor, and inspiration to young musicians," Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin said. "I am ecstatic to welcome him to this well-deserved new role as we continue to spread joy through music together.”