Artists in Residence

Principal Horn Michael Wood earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College in Minnesota and his Master’s degree from Baylor University. His principal teachers include Jonathan Menkins of the Boston Symphony and Sylvia Alimena of the National Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Wood performs 60 concerts as the hornist with the KSO Woodwind and KSO Brass Quintets.

Principal Clarinet Benjamin Seltzer joined the Kalamazoo Symphony in 2001, following graduation from the New England Conservatory of Music. Ben has performed with the Boston Philharmonic and Gardner Chamber Orchestras, and has attended the Banff, NOI, Schleswig-Holstein, and Vail Valley Music Festivals. Originally from New York City, Ben has performed in thirteen countries, ranging from Estonia to Zimbabwe. Ben also recently completed the world premiere recording of Malcolm Peyton's Suite for Clarinet. His principal teachers have been Craig Nordstrom of the Boston Symphony, David Weber of the NBC Symphony, and Yehuda Gilad.

Principal Trombone is Edward (Kip) Hickman, originally from Hampton, Virginia. Kip grew up in San Diego and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UCLA. He then came to Michigan, earning his Master of Music in Trombone Performance at the U of M. He comes to us from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, where he has played second trombone for the past four years. Kip has also played with the Detroit Chamber Winds, the Michigan Chamber Brass, the Ann Arbor Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony. He also teaches trombone privately.

Jonathan Kretschmer, Assistant Principal Trumpet, joined the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in September 2004. Originally from Lafayette, California, he graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s degree. He then went on to earn a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, where he was a recipient of the F.H. Aronson Scholarship and a member of the Community Service Fellowship. Mr. Kretschmer has performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and the Aspen Festival Orchestra. He gave his solo debut with the National Repertory Orchestra during the summer of 2003, playing Copland’s “Quiet City.” He was invited to play Charles Ives’ “The Unanswered Question” with the Juilliard Orchestra during its 2004 Focus Festival. He recently performed as Principal trumpet during the Juilliard Orchestra’s residency at the 2004 Festival dei Due Mondi (The Festival of Two Worlds) in Spoleto, Italy.

Mark Guthrie is Principal Timpanist of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Raymond Harvey.  As soloist with the Kalamazoo Symphony, Mr. Guthrie has performed the Russell Peck, Glory and The Grandeur and William Kraft, Concerto for Four Percussionists.  Last season he was featured with the Percussion section for Kalamazoo Symphony's Crazy Classics Series.  At the College level, Mr. Guthrie serves on the faculty of Kalamazoo College and is the Director of the Kalamazoo College Percussion Ensemble.  He has presented several Master classes and Clinics for various organizations around the country (i.e. Michigan Percussive Arts Society, The TAP Seminar in Atlanta).  As Timpanist and Percussionist, Mr. Guthrie has performed with I Musici de Montreal at the Gilmore Festival, Michigan Bach Collegium, Bach Festival Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Opera Association Orchestra, and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.  During his tenure with the Kalamazoo Symphony, he has helped to establish the Kalamazoo Percussion Duo.  This group tours, educates and performs concerts throughout the year for school age children and audiences around the Kalamazoo area.

Mr. Guthrie's principal teachers are Paul Yancich, Timpanist - The Cleveland Orchestra; Cloyd Duff, Former Timpanist - The Cleveland Orchestra; and Robert Bell, Timpanist - Toledo Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Guthrie graduated with Cum Laude honors from the University of Toledo.