Kyle Knox Appointed WYSO Music Director & Youth Orchestra Conductor

May 25, 2018 | News

Kyle Knox has been selected as WYSO’s music director and conductor of the Youth Orchestra effective July 1, 2018.

“I couldn’t be more excited about taking on this position,” Mr. Knox said. “WYSO is one of the pillar musical organizations of our state, with over half a century of artistic excellence and community service behind it. It is a humbling thought to be part of all this and to continue the legacy of Marvin Rabin and Jim Smith. I look forward to making music with these remarkable young musicians and moving toward a bright future with the WYSO family.”

WYSO began its formal search for a new music director last summer when the vacancy was posted. Applicants from 18 states and nine countries responded. The 77 applicants represented an extraordinary level of talented and dedicated people, each seeking to provide artistic leadership to a nationally known youth symphony program and orchestra.

“It turned out that the top candidate was right among us all the time,” WYSO Board President and Chair of the Music Director Search Committee Michael George said. “Early in his career, Kyle Knox believed that music performance would be the focus of his professional life. This took him to The Juilliard School in New York, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and then the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as associate principal clarinet. As he extended his professional work into teaching and conducting, his focus took a turn. He realized that teaching and conducting provided the depth of experience and satisfaction he sought. We’re glad he did.”

Mr. Knox is well known to the Madison community through his work with the Madison Opera, Madison Symphony Orchestra, University Opera, Middleton Community Orchestra and the Madison Savoyards. He holds degrees from The Juilliard School and UW-Madison.

“Radiating a true passion for his work, Mr. Knox brings a wealth of professional experience, high artistic standards and a collegial nature to this position,” WYSO Executive Director Bridget Fraser said. “He is well poised to lead WYSO into its next half century.”

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