By Judy Love
Jack Knowles stood on his podium at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center last May, left arm raised above his head. Barely turning his head, he scanned the orchestra, making sure that all eyes were on him. With a sudden flourish, he forcefully swung his baton, and the orchestra came to life with the first explosive notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. It was the last offering of the final concert of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra’s 74th season. It was the last piece that Jack would direct in his long reign as its conductor. After leading the group for nearly half of its seasons, he stepped down and passed on his baton to his son, Bruce, then associate director.
Bruce was appointed conductor by the orchestra’s board of directors soon after Jack announced his retirement. That the orchestra would continue to be led by a Knowles was no surprise to Black Hills concertgoers. So many family members have held positions of influence in the group that some have dubbed it the “Knowles family orchestra.” Jack’s wife of 43 years, Deborah, is the principal clarinetist, and Bruce’s wife, Carol, is concertmaster.
(Read the rest of this story in FACES Fall ‘09)
