Education & Community

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Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestras

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestras (KSYO) have trained the most talented musicians in the region. Comprising six ensembles – five string orchestras and one full orchestra – the KSYO engages over 300 members each season. Our members are coached by Knoxville Symphony Orchestra musicians, providing technical and musical training during weekly rehearsals. All of our ensembles perform three yearly concerts at the historic Tennessee Theatre.

Knoxville Symphony Youth Choir

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Choir (KSYC) provides the region’s young singers a choral community to develop vocal technique, create music through practice and performance, foster a love for vocal music, and build relationships with peers. Students enrolled in this program will acquire musical knowledge through a wide variety of repertoire. The KSYC works to provide students in East Tennessee a safe atmosphere to explore their voices in an educational and fulfilling environment.

Chamber Music Program

The Chamber Music Program (CMP) exists to foster expertise in, and love for, playing chamber music. Students in this program will develop leadership, verbal and non-verbal communication, problem-solving, time management, and negotiating skills as they explore great works of music in conductor-less ensembles. The CMP provides a fun, intensive, and rewarding learning environment that will help students grow musically and more broadly in their lives.

Concerto Competition

The KSYOA Concerto Competition is open to all pre-college instrumental students who live in Knox, Union, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Sevier, Blount, Loudon, Roane or Anderson counties, or are current members of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestras. The winner(s) perform with KSYO’s Youth Orchestra and receive a cash prize!

Summer Music Camp

Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Summer Music Camp provides an engaging and fun atmosphere for students to gain ensemble experience, interact in elective classes, and participate in great music making. We aim to improve each student’s level of performance by focusing on ensemble techniques and skills. Accepting applicants from beginning levels to the most advanced, students are assigned to ensembles based on musical experience. Offering four string ensembles and a wind ensemble, we strive to create a healthy environment where the focal point is effective learning, not seating or placement.

Classroom Qs and Meet the Musicians

Classroom Qs and Meet the Musicians are programs that take place in schools throughout Knox, Sevier, Blount, Anderson, Greene, and McMinn counties. Offering programs to elementary, middle, and high schools, educators have the opportunity to bring Knoxville Symphony Orchestra musicians to perform in classrooms for an “up close and personal” performance and learning experience. Students are exposed to classical music, learn about instruments, and have dialogue with professional musicians.

Side-by-Side

The Side-by-Side program offers a mentoring experience for high school orchestra programs. Students receive the opportunity to sit among, rehearse and perform with the musicians of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. This unique setting allows young musicians to learn invaluable information while participating in a professional environment.

Musical Story Time

Designed especially for little ears, the Musical Story Time program has recently expanded to serve the East Tennessee counties of Knox, Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Cumberland, Hamblen, Hawkins, Roane, Sevier, Union, and Washington. The Musical Story Time string quartet visits Knox County Public Library branches, public libraries across East Tennessee, and pre-k and kindergarten classrooms each year to perform a 30-minute program where stories come to life with music and narration.

Young People’s Concerts and Very Young People’s Concerts

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents full symphony orchestra concerts specially designed as field-trip opportunities for elementary school students. The Sheena McCall Young People’s Concerts, which take place in the fall, are designed for students grades 4th-5th. The Very Young People’s Concerts, which take place in the spring, introduce students in K-3rd grade to the orchestra. Through thematic narration and exciting visual elements such as video projections, props, costumes, and guest artists, these concerts are some of the most imaginative programs available to introduce kids to classical music.

Community Concerts

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO) provides classical music for communities in the region that may not have the opportunity to hear a live orchestral performance, many of which are free to the public. KSO musicians have performed in communities throughout Tennessee, including Athens, Crossville, Dandridge, Greeneville, Harrogate, Jefferson City, Maryville, Morristown, Sevierville, and Tellico Village, as well as in Richlands, Virginia. The KSO takes pride in its dedication to serving and providing live orchestral music for the people of East Tennessee.

Music and Wellness

Envisioned by former Music Director Lucas Richman, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s award-winning Music & Wellness program was established in 2004 and has expanded to several types of healthcare facilities in East Tennessee. The mission of this program is to provide live musical performances that enhance the healing process and benefit patients and their families, visitors, and staff in healthcare settings.