Cuarteto Latinoamericano & JiJi; image courtesy of ORCMA

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association — home of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Chamber Music Series — is Celebrating Our Past, Enriching Our Future during its 2019–2020 75th anniversary season. Subscriptions are available now, with prices starting at $30 for a Young Adult Chamber Music Series subscription. Youth 18 & Under attend all subscription concerts free through the Penny4Arts initiative and advertiser support. Visit ORCMA.org for repertoire and concert information, and call 865-483-5569 for more information and to purchase. Individual tickets are available online at ORCMA.org or at the door.

The Chamber Music Series opened the celebratory season, with Pollard Auditorium the stage for three of the four concerts in the series." The captivating Borealis Woodwind Quintet performed on Saturday, September 7, 2019. The world renowned Cuarteto Latinoamericano with guitartist JIJI will perform on Sunday, October 6, 2019; and legendary Brazilian classical and jazz guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima on Saturday, April 25, 2020, in a special collaboration with the Knoxville Guitar Society. Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Karen Kartal presents Concertmaster & Friends on Saturday February 1, 2020, at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church performing the Gypsy Quintet with guest composer and mandolin player Jeff Midkiff. Each concert includes a pre-concert talk free with ticket purchase.

“Highlights of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra season include John Adams’ Dr. Atomic Symphony, selections from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific, Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings, Daniel Bernard Roumain’s Tuscaloosa Meditations, Jessie Montgomery’s Records from a Vanishing City, Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3, and so many more,” said Music Director Dan Allcott.

Allcott, who is celebrating his 10th season with the organization, is also particularly enthusiastic about featuring Youth Aliyah Concerto winners Alice Tang, piano, and Joshua Kovac, cello, on the Free Family Concert sponsored by SpectraTech and Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) on Sunday, September 15, 2019, 3:00 PM. “The exceptional level of their musicianship demonstrates how the field of instrumental music continues to exceed previous expectations.”

Guest artists with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra are Derek Reeves, violin & viola; Jeff Midkiff, mandolin player; and Sound Company Children’s Choir with Katy Wolfe. Both Reeves and Midkiff will participate in a variety of community events beyond the concert hall, and Sound Company Children’s Choir will perform in the 75th Anniversary gala concert, Celebration of Our Past & Future, Sunday, October 20, 2019, 3:00 PM. Photographs by Ed Westcott, and MC Melony Dodson, Morning Concert host on WUOT FM 91.9, add to the festivities.

The Oak Ridge Chorus will present two concerts in addition to its three concerts with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Interim Choral Director Seth O’Kegley leads the Chorus in spirited holiday music by John Rutter on December 7, 2019, 7:30 PM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. O’Kegley has programmed arias, choruses and scenes from Gilbert & Sullivan for the February 29, 2020, concert, 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge. Anyone interested in joining the Chorus is invited to call (865) 483-5569. No audition is required.

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association is a presenting organization dedicated to providing quality music to the people of Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities; promoting participation in musical performances; and contributing to the musical education of people of all ages. Programming includes the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Series, the unique Chamber Music Series, the free Coffee Concert Series, and the free Family Concert.

To purchase or receive more information on the anniversary season and celebratory events, call or email ORCMA at 865-483-5569 or office@orcma.org. Additional information is available at ORCMA.org. ORCMA thanks the Tennessee Arts Commission, UT-Battelle/ ORNL, SpectraTech, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), Holiday Inn Express & Suites Knoxville West / Oak Ridge, WUOT FM 91.9, the Feldman Family and Willow Ridge Garden Center for generous season support.