Every year the TSO pays tribute to retiring musicians. This celebration is a chance to honor their careers and incredible service to the orchestra.
With over 77 years of service between them, Andrew Braden and Kathleen Demlow performed under the baton of four music directors and shared the stage with countless guest artists. Read on to learn more about Braden and Demlow.
Andrew Braden, TSO 2nd Clarinet for 38 years
Andrew Braden has been a fixture in the clarinet section since 1987. In addition to his regular position of 2nd clarinet, he has also served as principal clarinet and frequently performs on E flat clarinet. He’s also been a member of the TSO wind quintet.
Outside of the TSO, Andy has performed with many orchestras including the Kansas City Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony, True Concord, and the Tucson Pops, and he is one of the few clarinetists in America to play principal clarinet in Wagner’s massive Ring cycle when the four operas were presented by Arizona Opera. Another career highlight was performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Southern Arizona Symphony on their tour of China. An avid chamber musician, Braden has regularly toured Mexico with the Ocotillo Trio. Off stage, teaching has been central to his life for over 40 years, both in the Tucson Unified School District and as a private instructor, teaching clarinet and saxophone.
“Working these years with Andy has been an absolute pleasure” said TSO Principal Clarinet Dario Brignoli. “Prepared, professional, with a great musical sensitivity, Andy matched my playing in a spotless way. I’ll miss our inside jokes, and his trademark saying at the end of the concert: ‘another fabulous triumph!’”.
Kathleen Demlow, TSO Assistant Principal Horn for 39 years
Kathy Demlow joined the TSO in 1986. Apart from serving as assistant principal horn, she’s also performed as a member of the TSO wind quintet.
Demlow received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, and her master’s in music at the University of Arizona. Before joining the TSO in 1986, she was a member of the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the Birch Creek Chamber Music Festival, Symphony School of America, Summit Brass in Keystone, Colorado, and has been the principal horn of the Tucson Pops since 1998.
When asked about Demlow, Victor Valenzuela TSO horn said “Kathy represented the Tucson Symphony Orchestra with her colleagues of the Horn section in a performance at the 2001 International Horn Society Conference in Beijing China. She is a jack of all trades. From running a business, doing the books, being a repair technician for both Wind and String instruments and being a savvy entrepreneur, there is nothing she can’t do. She is HIGHLY respected by her colleagues for her experience, preparedness, dedication and most importantly her kindness. Her heart is as big as it gets. She and her golden tone will be missed!”
Pat Joslyn, retired TSO Senior VP added, “Kathy is a stellar human being. She has made significant contributions to TSO both artistically and organizationally. She always jumps in to help the stage crew when she sees a need. They love her! She is warm, caring, and nurturing to all her colleagues and is a total pro. As a fellow horn player, I always admired her beautiful sound. She has become a great friend and I wish her happy retirement.”
