(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this in-person event has been canceled in 2020.) The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will open its 85th season with a colorful and festive program designed by music director Aram Demirjian. Ravel: La valse, poème chorégraphique Torke: Sky (violin concerto in bluegrass style) Ellington: The Three Black Kings Respighi: Pines of Rome Aram Demirjian, conductor; Tessa Lark, violin

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this in-person event has been canceled in 2020.) The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will open its 85th season with a colorful and festive program designed by music director Aram Demirjian. Ravel: La valse, poème chorégraphique Torke: Sky (violin concerto in bluegrass style) Ellington: The Three Black Kings Respighi: Pines of Rome Aram Demirjian, conductor; Tessa Lark, violin

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this in-person event has been canceled in 2020.) Broadway star Capathia Jenkins joins the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for a high-energy tribute to the “Queen of Soul.” The concert will feature solid gold Aretha Franklin hits, including “Respect,” “Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools” and “Think.”

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled in 2020. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform the enduring, passionate work of local composer and painter Dosia McKay's "Watercolors," Chopin's "Piano Concerto No. 2" with pianist Michelle Cann and Tchaikovsky's triumphant and tragic "Symphony No. 6 ('Pathétique')." McKay: Watercolors for Orchestra Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”) James Fellenbaum, guest conductor; Michelle Cann, piano

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled in 2020. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform the enduring, passionate work of local composer and painter Dosia McKay's "Watercolors," Chopin's "Piano Concerto No. 2" with pianist Michelle Cann and Tchaikovsky's triumphant and tragic "Symphony No. 6 ('Pathétique')." McKay: Watercolors for Orchestra Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”) James Fellenbaum, guest conductor; Michelle Cann, piano

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will honor local veterans in a program of moving works written by, or inspired by those who served. Bernstein: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town Barber: Night Flight Williams: Born on the Fourth of July Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite Aram Demirjian, conductor; Andrew Staupe, piano

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will honor local veterans in a program of moving works written by, or inspired by those who served. Bernstein: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town Barber: Night Flight Williams: Born on the Fourth of July Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite Aram Demirjian, conductor; Andrew Staupe, piano

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra renews its December tradition of “A Classical Christmas,” featuring Handel’s Messiah with the Knoxville Choral Society, at the Tennessee Theatre. Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony Classical Christmas: Messiah Aram Demirjian, conductor; Knoxville Choral Society

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The first Masterworks performance of 2021 mirrors the transformation found in the new year with pieces that embody the shifting seasons in nature. Reid: Petrichor Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 Aram Demirjian, conductor; William Shaub, violin

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The first Masterworks performance of 2021 mirrors the transformation found in the new year with pieces that embody the shifting seasons in nature. Reid: Petrichor Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 Aram Demirjian, conductor; William Shaub, violin

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The Knoxville Opera will perform Giuseppe Verdi's Shakespeare-based drama, "Macbeth."

(As a proactive measure against COVID-19, this event has been canceled.) The Knoxville Opera will perform Giuseppe Verdi's Shakespeare-based drama, "Macbeth."

Enjoy the uniquely American music that was born and bred in New Orleans with Ragtime classics from Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton and W.C. Handy, including The Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag, King Porter Stomp, St. Louis Blues and solo turns from the virtuoso musicians of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will present a livestream of the Moxley Carmichael Masterworks Series from the Tennessee Theatre: Appalachian Spring. The concert will showcase music by American masters, including Pulitzer prize winner Caroline Shaw, the legendary “Dean of Afro-American composers” William Grant Still and icon Aaron Copland. Mozart’s delightful Divertimento rounds out the program.

Music Director Aram Demirjian will lead leads two different programs of music featuring chamber ensembles of KSO musicians for an afternoon and an evening repertoire. The afternoon concert features string musicians of the KSO and the evening concert showcases KSO wind players. Both performances will be livestreamed. A very limited number of in-person seats were made available first to patrons with season tickets.

Rediscover the magic and music of the Emerald Isle as Music Director Aram Demirjian and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra strings welcome Tennessee’s premier traditional Irish band, Four Leaf Peat.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform "Portrait of a Queen" as part of its Masterworks Series. A program of under-celebrated stories begins with a pair of symphonies by contemporaries Joseph Bologne (more commonly known by his title, “Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges”) and Joseph Haydn. Florence Price’s lyrical Andante moderato precedes Carlos Simon’s Portrait of a Queen, which “traces the evolution of black people in America through the lens of the black woman … who represents strength, courage, and selflessness” (Carlos…

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will celebrate America with a patriotic program featuring rousing marches, the moving Armed Forces Salute and a grand finale of The Stars & Stripes Forever.

The KSO Moxley Carmichael Masterworks Series features the KSO on the stage of the beautiful Tennessee Theatre performing Mendelssohn’s "Symphony No. 4, Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano and Ligeti's Romanian Concerto.

The KSO closes out the News Sentinel Pops Series with a performance featuring members of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra. The KJO’s rhythm section and three featured soloists join the Symphony for an evening of toe-tapping classics.

Tessa Lark returns to Knoxville for the final performance of the KSO’s Moxley Carmichael Masterworks series. Performing acclaimed composer Michael Torke’s Sky concerto, written for Lark, listeners will hear classical forms imposed on Bluegrass sounds, evoking the music of the people who settled Kentucky, her home state.

Tessa Lark returns to Knoxville for the final performance of the KSO’s Moxley Carmichael Masterworks series. Performing acclaimed composer Michael Torke’s Sky concerto, written for Lark, listeners will hear classical forms imposed on Bluegrass sounds, evoking the music of the people who settled Kentucky, her home state.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will open the 2021-22 season with Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” violin concerto reimagined in a 21st century lens with original spoken word poetry, composed by Knoxville Poet Laureate Rhea Carmon and her poetry collective, "The 5th Woman." Valerie Coleman: Umoja (Anthem of Unity) Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will open the 2021-22 season with Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” violin concerto reimagined in a 21st century lens with original spoken word poetry, composed by Knoxville Poet Laureate Rhea Carmon and her poetry collective, "The 5th Woman." Valerie Coleman: Umoja (Anthem of Unity) Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations

Broadway star Capathia Jenkins joins the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for a high-energy tribute to the “Queen of Soul" featuring solid gold Aretha Franklin hits, including “Respect,” “Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools” and “Think.”

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Commission, will present "Night with the Arts: A Celebration Concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." The free concert at the Tennessee Theatre will celebrate the commission's 40th Annual King Week Celebration to honor his legacy. The Symphony will present the music of Florence Price, Scott Joplin, Valerie Coleman and William Grant Still. The MLK Celebration Choir also will perform a few influential and powerful pieces,…

The Knoxville Opera will present Franz Lehar’s "The Merry Widow," a co-production with the University of Tennessee that will feature students performing alongside principal artists, conducted by UT’s Dr. Kevin Class and directed by Dean Anthony. The romantic comedy  follows a group of Pontevedrians living in Paris as they try to convince the titular widow, Hanna Glawari, to marry a Pontevedrian so her vast wealth won’t leave the country. Operatic high jinks ensue as Hanna and Count Danilo literally dance…

The Knoxville Opera will present Franz Lehar’s "The Merry Widow," a co-production with the University of Tennessee that will feature students performing alongside principal artists, conducted by UT’s Dr. Kevin Class and directed by Dean Anthony. The romantic comedy  follows a group of Pontevedrians living in Paris as they try to convince the titular widow, Hanna Glawari, to marry a Pontevedrian so her vast wealth won’t leave the country. Operatic high jinks ensue as Hanna and Count Danilo literally dance…

"A Swingin' Christmas with Victor Provost," is the hippest concert of the season and features sparkling arrangements of holiday favorites in the style of Ellington, Basie and other jazz greats. Special guests include Victor Provost, one of the world’s greatest practitioners of the steel pan, plus vocalists Kelle Jolly and Evelyn Jack.

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Music Director Aram Demirjian will lead a special tribute concert to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring Indigenous Vibes African Drumming Ensemble, vocalist Michael Rodgers and Knoxville poet laureate Rhea Carmon. The event is free, and no tickets are required.

The Knoxville Symphony’s exuberant MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks Series kicks off with vibrant orchestrations of art in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Adam Schoenberg’s GRAMMY-nominated Picture Studies, which has been described as a “21st-century Pictures at an Exhibition.” Arutiunian’s show-stopping Trumpet Concerto features the impeccable William Leathers whose trumpet solos have been noted for their “sparkling clarity.”

Crooner Tony DeSare and powerhouse singer Capathia Jenkins join the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and more. An evening of swingin’ standards, including “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Love is Here to Stay,” and “Come Fly with Me.”

Visit the European countryside in October’s stellar program. Experience the dazzling energy of the Edinburgh Festival with Clyne’s PIVOT. Bask in Scottish folk melodies with violinist Stefan Jackiw as he presents Bruch’s deeply romantic Scottish Fantasy. Stroll through the European country landscape with the lush harmonies and joyful melodies of Beethoven’s beloved Pastoral Symphony.  

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents a program filled with boundless energy. The evening opens with works by two prodigal American composers — Leonard Bernstein with his bombastic and fantastical Overture to Candide and Charles Ives with his lyrical and sentimental Second Symphony, which can only be described as the “musical embodiment of apple pie and cider” by KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian. Rising star Alessio Bax makes his KSO debut with Rachmaninoff’s demanding and powerful Third Piano Concerto.

The hippest concert of the season features sparkling arrangements of holiday favorites in the style of Ellington, Basie and other jazz greats. Special guests include Pasquale Grasso, one of the most amazing guitarists in jazz today, plus vocalists Kelle Jolly and Evelyn Jack.

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra takes center stage in January to celebrate its 50th anniversary with three stellar works by Jesse Montgomery, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Georges Bizet. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra rounds out this celebratory program with Mahler’s intimate and enchanting Fourth Symphony, which explores the themes of childhood and innocence.

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra takes center stage in January to celebrate its 50th anniversary with three stellar works by Jesse Montgomery, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Georges Bizet. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra rounds out this celebratory program with Mahler’s intimate and enchanting Fourth Symphony, which explores the themes of childhood and innocence.

On February’s MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks program, the Knoxville Symphony paints a vivid landscape of jagged oceanside cliffs with Dame Ethel Smyth’s picturesque On the Cliffs of Cornwall, and the brilliance of the sea with Debussy’s mystifying and brilliant La Mer. Supported by the League of American Orchestra’s Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, Sarah Gibson’s latest work, to make this mountain taller, makes its Tennessee premiere. Geneva Lewis makes her KSO debut with Beethoven’s lyrical Violin Concerto.

On February’s MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks program, the Knoxville Symphony paints a vivid landscape of jagged oceanside cliffs with Dame Ethel Smyth’s picturesque On the Cliffs of Cornwall, and the brilliance of the sea with Debussy’s mystifying and brilliant La Mer. Supported by the League of American Orchestra’s Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, Sarah Gibson’s latest work, to make this mountain taller, makes its Tennessee premiere. Geneva Lewis makes her KSO debut with Beethoven’s lyrical Violin Concerto.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra welcomes to the stage guest conductor Vinay Parameswaran, Associate Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, to present a program featuring two prominent Romantic-era composers – Tchaikovsky and Dvorak. Dvorak’s hauntingly beautiful Silent Woods and Tchaikovsky’s ornamental Rococo Variations feature cello virtuoso Thomas Mesa, who has been described as “one of the most charismatic, innovative and engaging performers of his generation.”  

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra welcomes to the stage guest conductor Vinay Parameswaran, Associate Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, to present a program featuring two prominent Romantic-era composers – Tchaikovsky and Dvorak. Dvorak’s hauntingly beautiful Silent Woods and Tchaikovsky’s ornamental Rococo Variations feature cello virtuoso Thomas Mesa, who has been described as “one of the most charismatic, innovative and engaging performers of his generation.”  

In April, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra celebrates the cosmos with a stellar program featuring four pieces inspired by different aspects of the celestial. Joyce Yang returns performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s KSO co-commissioned Piano Concerto, hailed as “a soulful piano concerto enthralls” (BBC Music Magazine). The evening culminates with Gustav Holst’s evocative and awe-inspiring The Planets.  

In April, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra celebrates the cosmos with a stellar program featuring four pieces inspired by different aspects of the celestial. Joyce Yang returns performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s KSO co-commissioned Piano Concerto, hailed as “a soulful piano concerto enthralls” (BBC Music Magazine). The evening culminates with Gustav Holst’s evocative and awe-inspiring The Planets.  

Giuseppe Verdi’s monumental Messa da Requiem closes out the season’s MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks Series. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the premiere of Verdi’s Requiem, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents this legendary work alongside the Knoxville Choral Society and Knoxville Opera Chorus.

Giuseppe Verdi’s monumental Messa da Requiem closes out the season’s MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks Series. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the premiere of Verdi’s Requiem, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents this legendary work alongside the Knoxville Choral Society and Knoxville Opera Chorus.

The Knoxville Symphony’s MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks Series will welcome back East Tennessee audiences for the 2024-25 season with renewed, triumphant energy in a program that features Ortiz’s magical “Kauyumari,” Gershwin’s dazzling, jazz-influenced Concerto in F and Beethoven’s bracing Fifth Symphony, whose unmistakable four-note opening motif embarks listeners on a journey from turmoil to triumph.

The Knoxville Symphony’s MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks Series will welcome back East Tennessee audiences for the 2024-25 season with renewed, triumphant energy in a program that features Ortiz’s magical “Kauyumari,” Gershwin’s dazzling, jazz-influenced Concerto in F and Beethoven’s bracing Fifth Symphony, whose unmistakable four-note opening motif embarks listeners on a journey from turmoil to triumph.

Serpentine Fire, fronted by the iconic voice of Tyriq Johnson, is the hottest Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band around. Experience an unforgettable start to Thermal Label Warehouse/Shaw Family Pops Series as Serpentine Fire joins the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for smash hits including “After the Love is Gone,” “September” and “Reasons.”

From the passion of Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade for Orchestra to the intensity of Brahms’ Third Symphony, the October MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks program brims with romanticism. Award-winning violinist Paul Huang returns to present Tchaikovsky’s searing Violin Concerto.

From the passion of Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade for Orchestra to the intensity of Brahms’ Third Symphony, the October MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks program brims with romanticism. Award-winning violinist Paul Huang returns to present Tchaikovsky’s searing Violin Concerto.

Fall in love with the whimsical world of "The Pirates of Penzance," where pirates roam the high seas and maidens swoon at the sight of a handsome young hero. With its delightful melodies and clever wordplay, this classic operetta tells the story of love at first sight, mistaken identities, and daring escapes. Join this colorful cast of characters as they navigate the rocky shores of romance with charm and humor.

Fall in love with the whimsical world of "The Pirates of Penzance," where pirates roam the high seas and maidens swoon at the sight of a handsome young hero. With its delightful melodies and clever wordplay, this classic operetta tells the story of love at first sight, mistaken identities, and daring escapes. Join this colorful cast of characters as they navigate the rocky shores of romance with charm and humor.

The Knoxville Symphony takes flight in November with a fiery program featuring Auerbach’s driving “Icarus,” Williams’ enchanting “Hedwig’s Theme” and Stravinsky’s thrilling suite from “The Firebird.” KSO Concertmaster William Shaub takes center stage with Sibelius’ shimmering Violin Concerto.

The Knoxville Symphony takes flight in November with a fiery program featuring Auerbach’s driving “Icarus,” Williams’ enchanting “Hedwig’s Theme” and Stravinsky’s thrilling suite from “The Firebird.” KSO Concertmaster William Shaub takes center stage with Sibelius’ shimmering Violin Concerto.

The Knoxville Symphony’s annual holiday tradition will continues with Handel’s glorious Messiah.

"TINA – The Tina Turner Musical" is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll and will run at the Tennessee Theatre from Dec. 3-8. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying show features the songs of the one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold…

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra's A Swingin' Christmas is the hippest concert of the season. Multi-instrumentalist Luther Allison joins the band along with other special guests for sparkling arrangements of holiday favorites in the style of Ellington, Basie and other jazz greats.