RICHARD MACKEY

Born in Philadelphia, Richard Mackey joined the horn section of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in January 1973 where he performed until 2005.  Mr. Mackey began his musical training at the age of eleven with trumpet and switched to the horn two years later.  A Tanglewood Music Center alumnus, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied horn with former BSO principal William Valkenier and solfège with Gaston Dufresne, who was also with the Boston Symphony.  During his career, Mr. Mackey has been a member of the orchestras of Kansas City, San Antonio, Detroit, New Orleans, and Cleveland; he left the Cleveland Orchestra in 1963 to become solo horn of the Japan Philharmonic, performing under Seiji Ozawa with that orchestra many times.   Prior to joining the BSO, Mr. Mackey was a freelance musician in the Los Angeles studios for eight years. He also attended the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont for nine summers.

Renowned for his virtuosity, especially in the low register, he can be heard on many recordings of the Boston Symphony and from the Marlboro Festival.

Mr. Mackey serves on the faculties of New England Conservatory and Boston University.

Dick joined the KBHC faculty for a week each in 2003, 2004 and 2005.  He came for both weeks in 2006 and will return for both in 2007!

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