Kurt Riecken

Kurt Riecken is principal bassist of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, a position he won in October 2014. Kurt graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida with degrees in music performance and electrical engineering. At Indiana University in Bloomington he received his masters of music under Craig Brown and Kurt Muroki. At IU, Kurt was appointed as an Associate Instructor of double bass and in 2014 was recipient of the 2nd annual Lawrence Hurst Scholarship award. Kurt has attended numerous programs and music festivals on scholarship including Aspen Music Festival and School, National Orchestral Institute, Hot Springs Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, and Eastern Music Festival. In 2012, he was a participant in the Pirastro Elite Soloists Program under Jeffery Bradetich. Kurt has performed on recordings for the Naxos label and has played on major motion picture soundtracks. In 2014, he was appointed co-principal of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and has served titled positions in Columbus, Carmel, and Terre Haute Symphonies. In addition, he has performed as a substitute with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Kurt enjoys teaching privately as well as coaching in group and masterclass settings. He is a coach for the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras, Youth Orchestras of Charlotte, as well as honors orchestras throughout the region. Kurt is also on faculty at Queens University of Charlotte where he teaches double bass and was interim music history instructor. Outside of music, he enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, and spending time with his family. Kurt lives in Charlotte with his wife and daughter. Kurt plays on a 20 th century Italian double bass, from the Tarantino family and his bow is a Reid Hudson.