Lexington, KY — It is with gratitude and respect that the Lexington Philharmonic announces the retirement of Daniel Mason from his role as Concertmaster, a position he has held for 43 years. Mason’s leadership, artistry, and dedication have helped define the Philharmonic’s sound and culture for more than four decades, guiding the orchestra with distinction on stage and in the community.
In addition to his tenure with LexPhil, Mason is Professor of Violin and Head of the String Department at the University of Kentucky, where he has taught for over 30 years. He founded the University of Kentucky String Project, which has provided training for new string teachers and affordable music education for hundreds of area children, earning national recognition and significant grant support.
Mason’s influence extends far beyond Kentucky. He has appeared as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician across the United States and abroad, with performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, on live national broadcasts from Chicago’s WFMT, and on NPR’s Performance Today. He has given master classes and performances in countries around the world, including Korea, China, Brazil, Austria, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, Cambodia, and the Republic of Georgia…