Full Breakdown
David Kim Named Permanent Concertmaster for Mainly Mozart’s 2026 All-Star Orchestra Festival
6/15/2026, 4:16:01 AM
Core Event: Festival Launch and New Concertmaster Role
The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival runs June 14–27 in La Jolla, with five concerts at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall and a finale at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim has been appointed permanent concertmaster, ending the previous eight-year rotation of the lead violinist.
Background & Context
Founded in 1988 by CEO Nancy Laturno, Mainly Mozart’s festival showcases concertmasters from the nation’s leading orchestras. After a 2020 drive-in and outdoor-lawn pivot during the pandemic, the organization now adds a permanent concertmaster to provide added stability.
Key Figures & Groups
David Kim, 63, began violin at age three, studied with Dorothy DeLay at Juilliard, and has served as Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster for 27 years. His mother died of cancer when he was 14; his wife Jane, a former Price Waterhouse accountant, supported his early solo work. Kim also teaches at the Aspen Music Festival and participates in Mainly Mozart’s pandemic-era concerts. Artistic Director Michael Francis leads the festival’s artistic direction, while Laturno serves as CEO.
Data & Statistics
Ticket prices for the Baker-Baum concerts range from $68 to $155; the UC San Diego finale tickets range from $25 to $250. Kim noted that ticket sales cover less than half of an orchestra’s operating costs, making philanthropy essential to the festival’s financial health.
Official Statements & Responses
Laturno emphasized that a concertmaster functions as a liaison between the community and the orchestra and that Kim’s appointment adds stability to the festival’s artistic leadership. Kim described his role as encompassing artistic leadership and fiscal stewardship, noting his participation in donor events, focus groups, and informal outreach to sustain Mainly Mozart’s operations. He also highlighted the “palpable chemistry” with Artistic Director Michael Francis as a factor in his decision to accept the permanent post.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The chemistry is palpable with Michael and Nancy.” — David Kim, Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra
- “It could be done through a round of golf, it could be a meal, it could be a coffee, or it could be just a little hello backstage before a concert.” — David Kim
- “Michael and I share our Christian faith, and I remember him writing some things that were so comforting and meaningful.” — David Kim
What’s Next: Upcoming Performances
The 2026 program includes Mozart’s ballet music from *Idomeneo*, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 “Classical,” Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Copland’s original 13-instrument version of *Appalachian Spring*, and a finale featuring Brahms’ Double Concerto (James Ehnes, Robert DeMaine) followed by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 on June 27 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater.
