Carleen Hutchins must have seemed like an unlikely candidate to upend the world of violin-making. Not only was this New Jersey mother only an amateur at viola, she already had a day job as a grade ...

The full schedule for the San Francisco Symphony's 2008-09 season follows. All events are in Davies Symphony Hall except where indicated; (m) denotes matinee; (Friday 6.5) denotes the 6.5 Series.

Whenever there is a tough baritone part to be sung these days, the call is likely to go to a modest 42-year-old Texan named Mack Harrell. In his 15 years as a professional, he has sung such ...