Phil’s principal trombonist

Steven Witser, acting principal trombonist of the Cleveland Orchestra, has been named principal trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, effective next month at the start of the new season, the orchestra announced Thursday. Witser has also served as assistant principal trombonist with the Cleveland ensemble, which he joined in 1989.

A native of Oakland, Witser studied at the Eastman School of Music and has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music, among other institutions, since 1993. He has a solo CD, “Among Friends,” and plays on the High Anxiety Trombone Quartet’s release, “High Anxiety Bones,” both on Albany Records.

He is replacing Ralph Sauer, who retired at the end of the 2005-06 season.