Mr. Carl Rieke holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Masters Degree in Instrumental Conducting from Georgia State University. Mr. Rieke was violinist in the St. Olaf College Orchestra and was music director at the Red Wing Theater Company, He has performed as violinist with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, the Owatonna Chamber Orchestra, the New Ulm Civic Orchestra, and the Southern Crescent Orchestra. Mr. Rieke has conducted at Encore music camp in Atlanta, the University of Georgia Music Camp, the ASTA summer camp, the Gwinnett Tapestry Festival, The Clayton County Honor Clinic and the New Ulm Suzuki Pops camp.

A proud alumni, Michael received both a Bachelor of Music in Music Education & Tuba Performance and a Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting) from Georgia State University.  Currently serving as principal tuba and associate conductor with the Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Puckett continues to perform with multiple jazz and symphonic groups in the Atlanta area.  He has been a freelance tubaist in the Atlanta area for over 40 years, touring with Clyde Beatty/Cole Brothers Circus, Henry Mancini and Johnny Mathis.  Retired from the Clayton County School System in 2003, Michael taught at North Clayton Junior High, Forest Park High School, and Mount Zion High School (Jonesboro).  During his teaching career he received numerous awards; among them the National Winner of the 1981 ASBDA Stanbury Award, Teacher of the Year – North Clayton Junior High and election into the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor.  He currently is active as an adjudicator, clinician, conductor, consultant and soloist.  Michael has been married for 37 years to the former Gina Sanderson.  They have two adult children, Joel Puckett (composer) and Natalie Puckett Evans (Director of The Women’s Legacy, United Way).

Dr. Richard Bell is the founder of the orchestra. Dr. Bell is currently taking a well deserved year long sabbatical. He is highly regarded as an educator, conductor, clinician and composer. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from Florida State University and a doctoral degree from University of Georgia in Athens. After 21 years in the Clayton County Schools he began an orchestra program in the Henry County Schools at Union Grove Middle School and Union Grove High School in 2003. Dr. Bell has earned many honors and awards during his career, including: the STAR Teacher Award, the Atlanta Journal Constitution Honor Teacher Nomination and the Wal-Mart Foundation Teacher of the Year Award. He has been married to Angie Bell. They have two sons - Will and Cooper.

The Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra would like to give a heart-felt and highly deserved thanks to Dr. Richard Bell for all his hard work and dedication over the past 20 years.  Without his deep commitment and passion for the orchestra, it would not be what it is today.

SCSO Board Members
Dr. Richard Bell, Founder
Carl Rieke, Conductor
Michael Puckett, Conductor
Mike Maxwell, Board Chairman
and Public Relations Manager
William Metz, Personnel Manager
and Webmaster


Assistants
Laurie Hackworth, Librarian
Mahli Lowder, Hospitality
Christel Vinot, Program Designer
Angie Mock, Photographer

Violin 2
Jennifer Floyd, Principal
Victoria Hawkins
Jennifer Latimer
Rae Litowich
Linda Maize
Latonia Nelson
Andrea Pulley
Leah Singleton
Teresa Tran 

Viola
Lorra Cotton, Principal
Prakash Acharya
Catherine Chambers
Donna Clegg
Sarah Mott
Norman Neeley

Cello
Sam Lowder, Principal
Maria Aguayo 
Patricia Davis
Gueywah Neenan
Bill Scruggs
Bethany Sewall
Christel Vinot
Todd Williams

Bass
Ryan Robertson, Principal
Jennifer Dunn
Felice Howard
Warren Rivera

Flute
Catherine Bull
Jerry Singer

Oboe
Joyce Bridges
Russell Wilson

Clarinet
Marcia Davis
Jennifer McCarren

Bassoon
Ted Atsalis
Mike Maxwell

Horn
Ginnie Cummings
Heather Miller
Glenn Moore 

Trumpet
Bobby Calmes
Randy Ficklen
Tré Mock

Trombone
Larry Greenwalt
William Metz

Bass Trombone
Jim Bagley

Tuba
Michael Puckett

Harp
Mary Ann Flinn

Percussion
Ryan Lincey