Adam Unsworth


Adam Unsworth is Professor of Horn at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Prior to his appointment in Ann Arbor, Adam was a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra (1998-2007) and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (1995-1998). He is currently Principal Horn of the Ann Arbor Symphony.

As a soloist, Adam is featured on the Boston Modern Orchestra Project’s 2024 release Masks and Machines, performing Mondrian’s Studio by Paul Dooley. He has five recordings as a leader to his credit: Balance for jazz sextet and chamber orchestra; Snapshots, a recording of contemporary classical music with composer/pianist Catherine Likhuta; Just Follow Instructions, featuring the chamber music of composer Daniel Schnyder; Next Step; and Excerpt This!, jazz recordings which received critical acclaim from both jazz and classical reviewers. He appeared as soloist with the University of Michigan Symphony Band on the premiere performance of Mondrian’s Studio and the first studio recording of Dana Wilson’s Concerto for Horn and Wind Ensemble.

Mr. Unsworth is a member of the New York-based Gil Evans Project big band, which received two Grammy nominations for its recordings Centennial and Lines of Color and won the 2013 Jazz Journalist Association Award for Large Jazz Ensemble of the Year. Adam is also part of Miho Hazama’s M-Unit band and appears on her most recent release, Beyond Orbits, and her Grammy-nominated recordings, Dancer in Nowhere and Time River. He has been a guest musician with new music ensembles Alarm Will Sound, Meridian Arts Ensemble, Ensemble Signal, Ensemble Linea, and Slee Sinfonietta.

Adam received his formal training at Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has toured Asia and Europe with the San Francisco Symphony and performs as a guest with the Detroit Symphony.