Seminal conductor Aug 1, 2018 Aug 1, 2018 Frederic Balazs Frederic Balazs, conductor of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1966, transformed a volunteer ensemble into a professional orchestra of regional stature. Bill Hopkins / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen 1955 Frederic Balazs and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Symphony Orchestra in 1952 Frederic Balazs led the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Symphony Orchestra during it’s 25th anniversary concert in 1952. Balazs helped transform TSO from a small community group to a artistically accomplished ensemble. Wong-Sutton Photo 1952 Fred Balazs Fred Balazs was the first full-time conductor for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Symphony Orchestra from 1952-1966. On Dec. 12 he will turn 98 years old. He spends his days reading and writing is memoir at Sierra Del Sol Memory Care. He uses a manual typewriter. November 30, 2017 Mamta Popat / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Frederic Balazs Frederic Balazs continued to travel the globe as a guest conductor into his 90s. He died Saturday in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. David Sanders / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Services set Services for Frederic Balazs will include full military honors. Mamta Popat / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Voracious reader Before his health started to fail, Frederic Balazs spent hours reading at the kitchen table of his foothills condo. He moved into Sierra del Sol memory care in spring 2017. He read thick biographies and history books. Cathalena E. Burch / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Fred Balazs Frederic Balazs, 98, sits down for lunch at Sierra Del Sol Memory Care. Mamta Popat / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Fred Balazs Balazs has been typing his memoirs on an old Royal typewriter, although his work has stopped. Mamta Popat / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Frederic Balazs Balazs, right, plays to a crowd in Budapest in 1938. His father bought Balazs his first violin. Courtesy of Frederic Balazs Related to this collection Buy single tickets now for Kristin Chenoweth, TSO concerts TSO kicks off 90th season in September.Â