I’m a little late getting to the mentioning of musicians who have joined the ranks of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra this season, but it’s probably just as well. There have been some recent additions and some I have previously missed. (Bio information and photos courtesy of the KSO)
Claire Chenette is the interim principal oboe this season, taking the chair of Phylis Secrist, who is on a leave-of-absence. Although Chenette hails from Iowa, she most recently has been living and working in Los Angeles. Along with an extensive freelance career in LA, she has spent the last four summers at the Lucerne Music Festival in Switzerland. Chenette received double undergraduate degrees in oboe and religion from Oberlin College and Conservatory and a master’s degree in performance from Cal Arts.
Nicholas Johnson is the interim principal flute for 2014-15 season. Johnson received
a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in 2014, receiving his Bachelor’s there as well. While there, he was a member of the Juilliard Orchestra. Johnson was featured on WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase, collaborating with his teacher, Carol Wincenc. He has also been heard of the NPR radio program, From The Top with Christopher O’Riley.
Donald Creech recently landed the second trumpet position with the KSO. He has performed with the Huntsville, Murfreesboro, and Sewanee Symphonies, the Gwinett Ballet, and the College Light Opera Company. Creech is currently pursuing a Doctorate in trumpet at the University of Georgia, previously receiving a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a Master’s degree from MTSU.
Garrett McQueen joined the KSO last season as second bassoon. Hailing from 
Memphis, McQueen is no stranger to many orchestras, including the Memphis, Jackson, and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. He can be heard as the principal bassoon of the Memphis Repertory Orchestra’s inaugural CD of works of Dvorak and Tchaikovsky, and has appeared on the hit television show, Glee. McQueen received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Memphis and a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California.
Sarah Ringer is currently a section violinist with the KSO. Hailing from St. Louis, she received a B.A. from Covenant College and a Master’s in violin performance from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT. Before joining the KSO, she performed with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, the Huntsville Symphony, and was principal Second Violin with the New Hampshire Philharmonic.
