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Balcones Community Orchestra
OUR PLAYERS...
Mary Brown - Violin
Concertmaster - Mary grew up in Auburn, Alabama, playing violin, clarinet, and piano during her musical childhood. She participated in All-State Orchestra and All-State Band a combined 12 times while in school. At Florida State University, contrary to conventional expectations, she majored in computer science for fun and music for the money, since music scholarships and gigs paid her way through school. While at FSU she studied violin with professors Karen Clarke and Julian Ross. Other musical endeavors include the Tallahasse Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, and Music at Penn's Woods. After leaving FSU, she received an M.S. in computer science and engineering from The University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in computer engineering from The University of Texas. She now works for Apple, where she designs microprocessors for Apple mobile devices.
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.
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