top of page
Balcones Community Orchestra
OUR PLAYERS
then and now...
Byron Gifford - Flute
My name is Byron Gifford, and I have been a private music tutor on flute and clarinet in Austin since 2004. I currently perform with Balcones Community Orchestra and Austin Symphonic Band.
I have previously performed with Georgetown Palace Theatre players and Austin Flute Club. In Dallas I have performed with Metropolitan Winds, Bravura Winds, Oak Lawn Band, Flutes Unlimited, and often performed with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
I have also performed with community bands and orchestras in St Louis, Indianapolis, Denver, and Aurora Colorado. I received my Music Theory degree from The Ohio State University, and after graduation pursued my career in retail and wholesale clothing for 27 years.
I live in Lake Hiils, and enjoy cooking, good friends, my partner John, our Wheaten terrier Jake, and occasionally riding my BMW motorcycle. I have played with BCO since 2006, really enjoy our rehearsal/concert format, the many interesting performers with our group, and our outstanding leader, Dr. Radmer. “Always strum up!”
I have previously performed with Georgetown Palace Theatre players and Austin Flute Club. In Dallas I have performed with Metropolitan Winds, Bravura Winds, Oak Lawn Band, Flutes Unlimited, and often performed with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
I have also performed with community bands and orchestras in St Louis, Indianapolis, Denver, and Aurora Colorado. I received my Music Theory degree from The Ohio State University, and after graduation pursued my career in retail and wholesale clothing for 27 years.
I live in Lake Hiils, and enjoy cooking, good friends, my partner John, our Wheaten terrier Jake, and occasionally riding my BMW motorcycle. I have played with BCO since 2006, really enjoy our rehearsal/concert format, the many interesting performers with our group, and our outstanding leader, Dr. Radmer. “Always strum up!”
Ann Smith - Bass
Ann was raised in Hartford, CT and played clarinet in her early years. She began studying string bass the summer before high school with a desire to play in orchestra. She eventually took lessons at the Hartt School of Music and was a member of the Hartt Youth Orchestra. In addition to playing in the high school orchestra under a wonderful man, Clayton Shufelt (who died in December at the age of 101), she participated in regional orchestras, all-state orchestras, a tri-city orchestra and the All-Eastern Orchestra in Boston. She also attended Laurel Music Camp where Moshe Paranov directed orchestra. Ann majored in math at the University of Connecticut and played in the university orchestra. After graduation she had a career in management information systems and continued to play bass in community orchestras which included the Manchester Symphony, Farmington Valley Symphony and Hartford Music Club. After moving to Austin 15 years ago with her husband Wayne and daughter Laurie, Ann played in the Austin Civic Orchestra and has enjoyed playing with BCO the last 6 seasons. She works for the Texas State Historical Association on the Handbook of Texas Online.
John Cox, Cello
Having grown up in Austin, John Cox studied Cello and Piano from early childhood. John’s music experience spans from music festivals across the country including "Musicorda" (MA), "Cloudcroft Music Festival" (NM) and "Sewanee Music Festival" (TN) to orchestras including the Honduras National Symphony and the Honduras Opera Orchestra.
In particular, Cox is passionate about chamber music. He has participated in “Chamberre in the Rockies” (CO) and the central Texas “Haydn in the Hills”. A favorite music companion of top chamber music enthusiasts for his musicality, versatility and outstanding reading abilities, John states that “I get immense enjoyment out of playing music with nifty project oriented people. I try to encourage others to join me in chamber music fun during my free time.”
John is employed by the iconic Austin “Immortal Performances” owned by Jim Cartwright in repairing vintage Victrola’s and other players and in many other capacities there.
In particular, Cox is passionate about chamber music. He has participated in “Chamberre in the Rockies” (CO) and the central Texas “Haydn in the Hills”. A favorite music companion of top chamber music enthusiasts for his musicality, versatility and outstanding reading abilities, John states that “I get immense enjoyment out of playing music with nifty project oriented people. I try to encourage others to join me in chamber music fun during my free time.”
John is employed by the iconic Austin “Immortal Performances” owned by Jim Cartwright in repairing vintage Victrola’s and other players and in many other capacities there.
Karen Foster Cason - Cello
I started playing cello at age 9 in an after-school Suzuki program. I loved playing cello so much that I dreamed of having a cello-shaped home with a cello-shaped pool and bathtub. My various musical accomplishments: All Region orchestra, All state symphony, Principal cellist with Ft. Worth Youth Orchestra, Cellist with Ft. Worth YO string quartet and piano quintet, Cleveland String Quartet and a full music scholarship to North Texas State University. I also attended UT on a music scholarship, studying with Paul Olefsky.
A wrist injury temporarily ended my career, but I began playing again for fun after a five year break with Austin Baroque players, chamber music groups, and numerous weddings and churches. I played my first concert with BCO four years ago subbing at the last minute, sight-reading, the only cellist at the all-Mozart concert. I have loved it ever since!! I especially enjoy playing with the BCO string quartet. Most recent musical adventure was subbing for the cellist in a local Indi group (developed food poisoning at the last minute), playing her amped cello… in a bar… and once again… sight-reading at a performance.
I graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in CIS from Texas State University. After working in the IT field as a systems analyst/programmer for some years, I currently help my husband run his screen-printing business. My three children are grown, and I now take great delight in my grandchildren.
A wrist injury temporarily ended my career, but I began playing again for fun after a five year break with Austin Baroque players, chamber music groups, and numerous weddings and churches. I played my first concert with BCO four years ago subbing at the last minute, sight-reading, the only cellist at the all-Mozart concert. I have loved it ever since!! I especially enjoy playing with the BCO string quartet. Most recent musical adventure was subbing for the cellist in a local Indi group (developed food poisoning at the last minute), playing her amped cello… in a bar… and once again… sight-reading at a performance.
I graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in CIS from Texas State University. After working in the IT field as a systems analyst/programmer for some years, I currently help my husband run his screen-printing business. My three children are grown, and I now take great delight in my grandchildren.
bottom of page