Principal Tuba

Anthony Kniffen was appointed Principal Tuba of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in September 1997, after serving with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra since 1989.  A native of Kirkwood, Missouri, he has benefited from years of encouragement and instruction from Daniel Perantoni, Harvey Phillips and Gene Pokorny.

Playing along with such diverse groups as folk artists The Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau in Hawaii to the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra here in Indianapolis, Mr. Kniffen has also performed with the Chicago, Saint Louis, Minnesota, Cincinnati, and New Mexico symphony orchestras and has toured extensively the United States with Summit Brass and in Japan with Sierra Brass.  He has won four concerto competitions and appeared as soloist with the Honolulu and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras.  Other solo appearances include regional and international tuba conferences and colleges, including his alma mater, Indiana University, where he also occasionally substitute teaches; the University of Hawaii, where he taught previously; and the University of Indianapolis, where he currently teaches.  Mr. Kniffen also is the ‘play-along’ tubist on a Hal Leonard educational project called, “Essential Elements 2000.”   In 2008, Mr. Kniffen will be substitute teaching at the University of Cincinnati College and Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.

An avid ‘accidentally successful’ photographer, he is devoted to his lovely wife, ISO violist Amy Kniffen and their two young twins, Jason and Evelyn.  His main hobby is doing two newsletters, the Sunday Science Report for College Park Church as well as the monthly newsletter for the Indiana Creation Science Association.