On June 29th, our musical world was shaken at the sudden passing of Isles Ensemble violist and beloved colleague Kenneth Freed. Our thoughts and hearts continue to be with his wife Gwen, and their children, Zachary, Eleanor, and Jonah.

Ken came to the Twin Cities in 1998, when he joined the viola section of the Minnesota Orchestra after being a violinist of the Manhattan String Quartet. His huge mark on the Orchestra and the musical community of Minnesota is indelible. Alongside his instrumental career he enjoyed a 12-year tenure as music director and conductor of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra and was an assistant conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra. He was deeply committed to social and educational activities as a founder of the Learning Through Music Consulting Group, a teacher at The Walker West Music Academy and many other things.

Famously hilarious, Ken was fearless to do almost anything to make people laugh, but he also had a very serious side and deep concern and empathy for those he knew and those he did not know. Ken was wise and full of ideas. He was a catalyst for the growth of The Isles Ensemble. The process of learning a piece together and performing with Ken was not just playing music, but truly making music. Words can not express the warmth, energy, open-heartedness, and humor with which Ken lived his life. Though his musical and professional achievements were many, it is the depth and steadfastness of his friendship, his zest for life, and the love and esteem he showed for his family, friends, and colleagues, that set him apart. Ken was a world of love, a world of compassion, a world of integrity, a world of humor and a world of good. He will be immeasurably missed.