San Antonio Symphony News and Archive

S.A. violist dies in auto accident

By Mike Greenberg

from the San Antonio Express-News 7/23/99



Violist Ted Allred, a 14-veteran of the San Antonio Symphony, died Wednesday night in an automobile accident. He was 43.

Allred was driving to Truth or Consequences, N.M., where he was artistic director of the Sierra Grande Chamber Music Festival, when the accident occured on Interstate 10 near Sierra Blanca, according to longtime friend and symphony collegue Dan Zollars.

A graduate of the Julliard School in New York, Allred was well-known to local chamber music audiences for his work with the Soli chamber Ensemble, the Olmos Ensemble and other groups.

Allred had played in the Roycroft Music Festival in East Aurora, N.Y., before returning to San Antonio for three concerts with the Cactus Pear Chamber Music Festival.

His final apprearance was in last Saturday's Cactus Pear concert, in which he played in the Brahms String Quintet No. 2.

Allred had planned to take a sabbatical from the orchestra this coming season to devote his time to chamber music.

"He was the most valued chamber music player on viola in San Antonio," said Zollars, a cellist and Allred's colleague in the Sierra Grande Chamber Music Festival. "He had a lot of experience and training, and he was very passionate about string chamber music."

A memorial service has been planned for 11 a.m. Monday at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, the site of Allred's final performance.



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