At last: the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has hired a new principal percussionist.

The admirable John Kasica has filled as acting principal for several seasons, in part as a way to save money during the orchestra’s time of financial crunch.

Here’s the note that went out to the SLSO’s staff and instrumentalists today from orchestra manager William McGrath:

“I am pleased to formally announce the appointment of William James as Principal Percussion. Will is currently Rotating Principal Percussion with the New World Symphony, as well an extra percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and North Carolina Symphony. Will graduated from the New England Conservatory with a Masters of Music Degree in Music Performance and from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance.

“Will officially begins his position with the SLSO at the start of the 2008-09 season, though he will join us sooner as a member of the Green orchestra for this year’s OTSL season.”

(The orchestra is split into two color-coded divisions for the opera season.)