Joe Young—Viola

                Joe Young started his career as the youngest member ever of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra earning his position at the age of 15 after been playing the viola since the sixth grade. He left Oklahoma after college but returned several years later and was an inagural member of the OKC PHIL bringing his experience to more than 35 years.

                Young most enjoys the compositions of Brahms and names T. Burns Westman and Joseph Silverstein as his greatest musical influences. 

                Young has also performed with the San Antonio Symphony and the Lawton Philharmonic. However, when returning to the OKC PHIL, he enjoys the new music and the new guests artists with whom the PHIL performs.

                Young holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University and has done graduate studies at Kansas State Teachers College, Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, and the University of Houston. 

                For 26 years, Young taught in the Putnam City School district, retiring in 2001. He leads an active string quartet that is in demand for weddings and events throughout the metro area, enjoys cooking, and gives private violin and viola lessons.