Max Turner Huls

Jacksonville, FL - Max Turner Huls, former violinist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, passed away in Jacksonville, FL on February 11, 2024. Born in Independence, MO in 1953, he spent his formative years in Jefferson City, MO, and graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, MO before moving to Memphis in 1976. He taught on the faculties of Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) and Rhodes College. He was a member of the University String Quartet and a founding member of the Rhodes Piano Trio. He served as Assistant Concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony beside Joy Brown Wiener, and Acting Concertmaster after Joy's retirement. Many may recall seeing him riding his bicycle to rehearsals and concerts, violin strapped to his back, rain or shine. He performed in all three concerts of the Memphis Chamber Music Society's inaugural season (1989), and in at least two concerts of each season following until he joined the Jacksonville Symphony in Florida, of which he was a member from 1993-2024.

Max's legacy was the volumes of music he loved and shared so generously. His repertoire was vast, from nearly 60 years of life in music as an orchestral musician, chamber musician, conductor, and teacher. His passion was in virtuosic music for solo violin, such as the Bach sonatas and partitas, the 24 Paganini Caprices, the Bartok sonata, and many obscure gems that he knew by heart. He took and gave great pleasure in performing, and believed that musicians should communicate the composer's intent with the audience. He also loved baseball and philosophy and maintained a curiosity for existence through his last moments. Max made a difference, and he left the world a more beautiful place.

He was pre-deceased by his parents John Clay Huls and Dorothy Mae Wyrick Huls. He is survived by his son Victor Minke Huls, cellist and conductor; his former wife and dear friend, Linda Minke, also a cellist; his sister Teresa Cook, and two brothers, James Huls and John K. Huls, all three of Jefferson City, MO.

If you would like to send a memorial, please consider the Memphis Symphony Orchestra or the Memphis Chamber Music Society.