John Degnan was appointed Second Horn of the San Diego Symphony in 2023. He has previously performed with many ensembles such as the Alabama Symphony, Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Nashville Symphony and New World Symphony. When not performing onstage, you can catch John on a bike ride or sipping his favorite coffee at a seaside cafe. Read all about John below!

 

1.Tell us about your journey to the San Diego Symphony

I was extremely fortunate to grow up in an area with very strong music and arts programs in West Palm Beach, Florida. I began playing French horn in the 4th grade and then attended the magnet middle and high schools for the arts. From there I went on to double major in French horn performance and Political Science at Vanderbilt University. 

During COVID, however, I found myself drawn further into music, practicing constantly which gave me structure and connected me to others at such a unique and difficult time in the world. This was when I decided that I wanted to pursue music as a career. 

I went on to pursue my Master’s of Music degree at Rice University where I kept a photo of The Rady Shell as the background photo on my phone as inspiration throughout the professional audition process. I had always wanted to live in California, and I really admired the direction the San Diego Symphony Orchestra was heading in. I was very fortunate enough to win the position of Second Horn here in 2023, my “dream job.”

2. What is your favorite San Diego Symphony memory so far? 

My favorite memory is probably our performance at Carnegie Hall during our 2023 tour. This was one of my first performances with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and my first tour, but what really made it special was that all my family from the East Coast was able to attend the concert. They rarely get to see me perform live, and I am so grateful that I was able to share this special moment with them. 

3. How do you like to spend your free time when not performing?

When I’m not performing, I enjoy exploring all that America’s finest city has to offer with my fiancée, Isabella. We love going to all the different beaches and trying out local cafes and eateries (some personal favorites being Necessity Coffee, Bahn Thai, El Zarape, and Mothership). 

4. What musical work are you looking most forward to performing in the remainder of the season? 

I am most looking forward to performing Mahler’s 3rd symphony with the San Diego Symphony Chorus. My fiancée is a member of the chorus and I’m so happy to be able to share the stage with her together, doing what we love to do best. Moreover, this season has been very special as we opened both the season and the renovated Jacobs Music Center with Mahler’s 2nd symphony. And now I look forward to bookending this historic season with Mahler again.  

5. Any special hobbies or interesting facts about yourself that you’d like to share? 

I love doing anything that allows me to take advantage of the beautiful San Diego climate. Recently I have been enjoying running, biking, and surfing. I also enjoy reading, playing board games and honing my barista skills in pursuit of crafting the perfect home espresso.