Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Welcomes New Musicians

The musicians include a new Assistant Concertmaster, First Violin, and Associate Principal Trumpet 

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and Music Director Manfred Honeck has announced three additions to its musicians roster and five new tenures. 

Current PSO first violinist Marta Kretchkovsky was named Assistant Concertmaster (fourth chair), succeeding Justine Campagna who later became PSO’s Associate Concertmaster. Before her, Hong-Guang Jia held the role from 1991 until his retirement in 2020. 

Ilkhom Mukhiddinov was appointed First Violin, beginning just last month, and fills Campagna’s original First Violin seat. 

Additionally, Conrad Jones won the Associate Principal Trumpet position while on a long-term contract with the PSO during the 2023-2024 season. 

Succeeding Charles Lirette, who retired in 2024, Jones was also granted tenure in December 2024 alongside PSO musicians Carolyn Semes, Second Violin; Boxianzi Vivian Ling, Second Violin; Aaron Mossburg, Viola; and Michelle Hembree, Second Horn. 

Hailing from Ukraine, Marta Krechkovsky joined PSO in 2014. As a soloist, she has appeared with numerous Ukrainian orchestras, as well as the PSO, Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra, and Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. Krechkovsky is a graduate of The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Glenn Dicterow and Lisa Kim.  

Born in Tashkent into a musical family, Ilkhom Mukhiddinov debuted with the Uspensky Symphony Orchestra at age seven. He has since performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. His recent awards include first prize at the Hellam Young Artist Competition and Naftzger Competition. He continues to study at Park University with Ben Sayevich.  

Conrad Jones has performed as guest principal trumpet with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He was also the principal trumpet of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Symphony. Jones is a graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Music and The Colburn School.  

“It is with great joy that I welcome Ilkhom and Conrad to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and I congratulate Marta on her appointment,” Honeck said in a press release. “Their exceptional artistry and dedication to music make them outstanding additions to our PSO family. Every musician in this orchestra brings passion and excellence to the stage, and these appointments reflect not only Marta, Ilkhom and Conrad’s remarkable talent but also the high musical standards that define the Pittsburgh Symphony. I look forward to the energy and artistry they will contribute in the years to come.”  

Now in its 129th season, the GRAMMY Award-winning PSO has been led by Honeck since 2008. Past music directors have included many of the greats, including Fritz Reiner, William Steinberg, André Previn, Lorin Maazel, and Mariss Jansons. Notably, the orchestra began touring in 1896, and its recordings and live radio broadcasts date back to the 1930s.