The Musicians
Mark Knowles (Horn)
Member of the JSO: Since 1980
Hometown: Frankfurt, Germany
Education: Sibelius Academy (Helsinki) University of Iowa: BM-music performance Boston University
International upbringing: Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Mark lived all over the globe, as his parents were in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Why the horn: In his youth, Mark was in summer band programs and played cornet in marching band. He liked the looks of the French horn and stuck with it.
Performance experience: Mark has performed with Boston Lyric Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Royal Ballet, Rochester Philharmonic, Savannah Symphony and others.
Funniest moment with the JSO: “It was when we played right on the sand in Key West. The tide was coming in, but we finished the concert before anyone got wet.”
Favorite composers: “Mahler and Strauss wrote great music, and great parts for brass.”
Family: Mark and wife Eileen have three children, and all are into music. Emily plays violin, Richard plays guitar and Christopher loves the drums.
Hobby: Mark’s avocation is home remodeling. He built a two-story addition to the family home