When Bertha Walburn Clark first performed with her string quartet in 1910, she planted the seed for what would grow into the Southeast’s oldest continuously performing orchestra and a cornerstone of East Tennessee’s cultural life.
Today, under the leadership of Music Director Aram Demirjian, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra is thriving. A devoted champion of American music, Demirjian has expanded the ensemble’s repertoire with an emphasis on living composers, artists from underrepresented groups, and innovative cross-disciplinary collaborations.
His vision helped earn the KSO national recognition, including selection as one of only four orchestras to perform at SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras at the Kennedy Center in 2020. Now, 90 years after its first official concert, the KSO reaches more than 100,000 people each year across East Tennessee, with more than 70% of performances taking place in community spaces such as schools, hospitals, and public venues.
This strength and reach were built over decades of dedicated leadership. In 1947, David Van Vactor brought national attention to Knoxville, drawing outstanding musicians during his 26-year tenure. Under Arpad Joo in the 1970s, the KSO’s artistic standards and community support grew rapidly. Zoltán Rozsnyai prepared the orchestra for the world stage as host of the 1982 World’s Fair, establishing the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Kirk Trevor expanded the season with Pops, Chamber, and the Clayton Holiday Concerts, while Lucas Richman deepened the orchestra’s artistic excellence and launched the innovative Music & Wellness program.
From Bertha Walburn Clark’s first quartet concert to today’s vibrant programming under Aram Demirjian, the KSO’s history is one of vision, growth, and a steadfast commitment to serving the community through music.