Change in the art and music world can come swiftly or cautiously, but finding meaning in either one is not necessarily easy to manage. Generally, new start-up organizations are a good sign, as is major news from those groups already on the scene. More often, though, significant change comes more transparently as the acceleration of professionalism in performance, something that has marked Knoxville’s major music ensemble organizations.
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra began its landmark 90th season in September, hailing its special project “9 for 90” in which nine world premieres of commissioned pieces would be spread across the schedules of the various series. On the news front, the KSO announced that Music Director Aram Demirjian had signed a new four-year contract, continuing his leadership through the 2029-30 season.
The University of Tennessee College of Music, now the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, saw its first full year embrace some serious program expansions and achievements. Among the many visible ensembles was the UT Symphony Orchestra under Maestro James Fellenbaum, showing off some very impressive performances in its fall concerts…