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Knoxville Choral Society

Knoxville Choral Society

Since 1951, the Knoxville Choral Society has brought some of the world’s greatest choral music to East Tennessee and is dedicated to maintaining a rich tradition of choral excellence.  Begun as the Knoxville Choral Club, the KCS is a 130-voice auditioned chorus that performs choral masterworks and chamber pieces in a yearly concert series. The original group of 35–40 volunteer singers performed under its founder and first conductor, Edward H. Hamilton. Several decades and conductors later, and now under the baton of Dr. Eric Thorson, the membership of the KCS has grown to more than 125 singers from all walks of life.  The KCS regular concert season typically includes major choral works and other concerts featuring varied styles of choral literature.  The KCS sings regularly with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in the Clayton Holiday Concerts and performs major choral works in the KSO Masterworks series. For more information about the Knoxville Choral Society and its current season, please visit knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

Dr. Eric Thorson, Artistic Director/Conductor

Conductor of the Knoxville Choral Society since 1995 and artistic director since 1996, Dr. Eric Thorson is professor of music and director of choral studies at Carson-Newman University, where he teaches conducting and music education courses and directs the A Cappella Choir, Men’s Chorus, and Oratorio Chorus. Dr. Thorson’s professional music education career spans more than three decades and includes teaching at the elementary, secondary, college, and university levels. Dr. Thorson is the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award at Carson-Newman, the highest award given to faculty at the University.   An active church musician, Dr. Thorson is minister of music at West Hills Baptist Church in Knoxville, where he has served since 1995.

 

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