KSO's 90th year: historic violin, nine world premieres

Knoxville Symphony Board President Rick Fox, right, and his partner, Ralph Cianelli, show the violin his late great-aunt used to take lessons from the KSO’s founder in the early 1900s. The violin has been in the attic of Fox’s home, The Middlebrook, for 75 years.

As the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary this year, its board president, Rick Fox, has donated to the group a violin that his late great-aunt used to take lessons from the KSO’s founder, Bertha Walbern Clark.

And, although the 2025-2026 lineup of performances has not yet been unveiled, Music Director Aram Demirjian has announced an ambitious program called “Nine for Ninety,” whereby the season will include nine specially commissioned world premieres.

The nine new pieces will be spread out among four of the KSO’s various lineups: the Masterworks, Chamber, Q-Series, and Concertmaster series. Additionally, one commission will be for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The violin, which belonged to Faye Howard Ballew, was presented to Rachel Ford, the Symphony’s executive director, during the board and staff’s annual holiday party last month, which was held at Fox’s historic home, The Middlebrook.

“The KSO is excited to have this historic violin added to its collection,” Ford said. “Already possessing Bertha Walburn Clark’s viola and the batons she used to conduct the KSO, we now have an instrument that she was connected to via her teaching career which significantly impacted many students throughout Knoxville. Many thanks to Rick for his generosity and bringing this violin ‘home.'”

It is a very fun time to be involved with the Knoxville Symphony as an audience member or as a supporter. While the group celebrates its history, Demirjian, in his 10th year conducting here, is well known for his interest in opening concert-goers’ ears to new music. “Let’s not focus too much on our past, but let’s look to our future,” he urged the Board during a meeting yesterday. The nine world premieres seem like an ideal way to accomplish that.

Becky Benedict, left, and Kim Cunningham raise a toast at the holiday party. Benedict is immediate past president of the Knoxville Symphony League and Cunningham is president-elect. The League is a primary fundraising group for the KSO and its leaders serve on the KSO’s board of directors.

Lisa Bogaty is president of the Knoxville Symphony League. Here, she shares a big laugh with Josh Thornton, the KSO’s director of development.

From left, board member Bill Riley, Rachel Ford, and Alan Carmichael. Riley is a past president of the KSO Board.

KSO Board member Janet Testerman, right, with her mother, Janet Testerman Crossley, and husband, Joey Creswell.

John Winemiller, left, and R.J. HInde. Winemiller is immediate past president of the KSO Board.

Board member Rick Stone, right, with Terry Ford and Angel Howard.

Sheila Gordon provided beautiful music for the evening.

Susan Artibal did a great job keeping everyone’s glasses filled!

Ralph Cianelli pulled out their last bottle of Primaterra, my favorite pinot grigio, which no longer is available in Knoxville. Rick and Ralph even put my name on the bottle! (Thanks!)

KSO Board member Sheryl Linck with her husband Garry Conklin.

Ryan Rodriguez, the KSO’s finance director, with his wife, Brenda.

Rick Fox with Board member Adrian Jay.

From left, Drs. Quyn and Ayaz Rahman, Maddie Helbling, and Trianne Newbrey. Dr. Quyn Rahman is a KSO Board member, Helbling is director of education and community partnerships, and Newbrey is communications director.