Weston Sprott

A prominent leader, performer, and educator in classical music, Weston Sprott’s work is based on mission-driven values and is steeped in a commitment to excellence and fairness, an abiding sense of kindness and compassion, and an unwavering sense of optimism that is not naïve.

Following studies at Indiana University and the Curtis Institute of Music, Sprott, who grew up in Spring, Texas, has had a robust international performing career. A member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2005, he has also held positions with the Zürich Opera and Philharmonia, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Delaware Symphony; and he has performed with the New York and Oslo philharmonics; Philadelphia, Sphinx Symphony, Chineke!, and West-Eastern Divan orchestras; and the Dallas and Atlanta symphonies. He can be heard on solo, chamber, symphonic, opera, and film recordings, from Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts to the live-action The Lion King movie. And his chamber music and festival engagements include Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Gateways Chamber Players, Classical Tahoe, Festival Napa Valley, Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, and PRIZM Ensemble. 

In addition to Juilliard, he holds faculty positions at Bard College and Music Academy of the West; is a frequent guest teacher for the New World Symphony and the Orchestra Now; and has presented more than 100 master classes at conservatories and colleges around the world. Among his previous faculty positions are Mannes College, Rutgers University, Purchase College, MAP, PRIZM, Curtis Young Artist Summer Program, National Youth Orchestra-USA, Aspen Music Festival and School, and Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival.

In 2021, Sprott co-founded the Black Orchestral Network, which supports Black orchestral musicians with a mission of “cultivating community, lifting our voices, and telling our stories.” Its open letters have shed light on inequitable practices and policies affecting Black musicians, and its podcast, Black Music Seen, captures the stories of important Black figures in classical music. Sprott’s advocacy has also led to the creation of the National Alliance for Audition Support, Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions Excerpt Competition, and Classical Tahoe Academy and other initiatives that are shifting the landscape of the industry. 

Sought after as a speaker, panelist, and consultant, Sprott delivered the keynote address for SphinxConnect and the alumni commencement address at Curtis, and he has written articles for publications including Local 802’s Allegro and been featured in the Wall Street Journal and International Musician. Sprott received Atlanta Symphony’s Aspire Award and the Community Music Center of Boston’s John Kleshinski Award. 

Sprott is the board chair of the Friends of Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival as well as a member of the Sphinx national advisory and the Avery Fisher Artist Program recommendation boards. He has served as an advisory board member for Project STEP, the Community Music Center of Boston, and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. As an artist and clinician for the Antoine Courtois Instrument Company, Sprott performs exclusively on the Creation New York trombone, an instrument he designed.