Alex Kovling, a native of Lewisville, Texas, joined the U.S. Navy Band in 2015 and was appointed Principal Horn in 2024. He also holds the position of Principal Horn with the Annapolis Symphony (2020) and Maryland Symphony (2024).
Since being in the D.C area, he has been guest principal with the Columbus Symphony, Mid-Atlantic Symphony, and York Symphony as well as regularly performing with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, North Carolina Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, National Philharmonic Orchestra, and Alexandria Symphony. Alex takes advantage of chamber music opportunities as a member of Barclay Brass and with his brass quintet, Apex Brass, second prize winner of the Bucharest International Music Competition in 2021. He also occasionally performs with the Washington Symphonic Brass, USNB Brass Quintet, Annapolis Symphony Brass Quintet and Wind Quintet, Dominion Brass, and the Navy Band Chamber Recital Series. As a soloist, Alex has performed both the Horn Concerto by Gordon Jacob and Connection by Oscar Navarro with the Annapolis Symphony and has soloed with the Navy Band numerous times. Additionally, he has performed alongside Mannheim Steamroller, Andrea Bocelli, Yo Yo Ma, The Beach Boys, and Katy Perry.
Alex received his Bachelor of Music from Texas Tech University, where he studied with Christopher M. Smith. He continued his studies at Rice University, earning his Master’s Degree in Music. While at Rice, he studied with William VerMeulen and was part of a CD recording called “The Christmas Horn” conducted by Dale Clevenger. Giving back to the younger generation of aspiring musicians, Alex has taught masterclasses at Texas Tech University, Baylor University, and Kansas State University. In 2022, the horn section of the Navy Band presented a clinic at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
Before moving to D.C. and still a student, Alex Kovling was third horn of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra from 2010-2013 and second horn of Santa Fe Pro Musica for the 2012-2013 season. He was also a regular substitute/extra horn with the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, San Antonio Symphony, and the Amarillo Symphony. Alex won several awards as a student including the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition and was a two-time winner of the Mid-South Horn Workshop solo competition. He attended numerous summer festivals, including the National Orchestral Institute for three years, Texas Music Festival, Round Top Festival Institute and the Banff Brass Residency.