The Knoxville Choral Society Announces 2019-2020 Concert Season
Saturday, August 17th, 2019
The Knoxville Choral Society Announces 2019-2020 Concert Season
Season highlights include a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, collaborative performances
with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, a contemporary choral concert entitled Stargazer, and the second annual Sing! Knoxville concert.
KNOXVILLE – The Knoxville Choral Society (KCS) today announces its 2019-2020 season.
The KCS and Artistic Director John R. Orr will present a season of masterworks and innovative
programs including performances with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and a wide range of
venues. This season the KCS can be seen at Central Bearden Baptist Church, the Tennessee
Theatre, Knoxville Civic Auditorium, First United Methodist Church of Morristown, Church Street
United Methodist Church, and the Clarence Brown Theatre on UT’s campus.
The Knoxville Choral Society’s season opens with one of the largest and most dramatic choral
works of all time, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, performed with full orchestra and featuring Knoxville’s
own Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone, David Crawford, singing the title role. In December, KCS
will join the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for its Classical Christmas concert presenting
Handel’s Messiah and the annual Clayton Holiday Concerts.
The winter concert will feature assistant conductor Andrew Duncan, performing an innovative
concert called Stargazer, and in May 2020 KCS will present its second annual Sing! Knoxville
concert at the Clarence Brown Theatre on the UT campus conducted by John R. Orr. The Sing!
Knoxville concert offers a unique experience for the Knoxville community to come together in
song. KCS will present a concert of mixed genre choral music by living composers, and the
audience will be invited to participate in the music making process.
Additional appearances include the women of KCS joining the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
for Holst’s The Planets and the Knoxville Chamber Chorale presenting its concert, Alone In The
Night, at First United Methodist Church of Morristown. The Knoxville Chamber Chorale will sing
two additional concerts this season, a Christmas concert at Church Street United Methodist
Church and a concert in the Spring of 2020. In June of 2020 the Knoxville Choral Society will
represent Knoxville, TN, by traveling to and performing in Austria and Switzerland.
The Knoxville Choral Society is thrilled to have John R. Orr entering his second season as our
artistic director.
“I’m excited to begin my second season as conductor of the Knoxville Choral Society and so
honored to work with the best singers in our area,” says Orr. “The 2019-2020 season is
designed around our belief that the Knoxville Choral Society represents the heart of the
Knoxville community because it impacts such a diverse group of people. We have the highest
quality choral singers who come from all walks of life, and our concerts appeal to so many
different audiences. It is truly a celebration of the best things about this city when we come
together to make and share music.”
Additional information about the 2019-2020 concert season is available at
www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org
Knoxville Choral Society 2019-2020 Season Calendar:
September
Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Friday, September 20, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Holst’s The Planets
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Women of the Knoxville Choral Society
Tennessee Theatre
October
Thursday, October 24, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Alone in the Night
Knoxville Chamber Chorale
First United Methodist Church of Morristown
November
Friday, November 8, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Mendelssohn’s Elijah
Knoxville Choral Society
Central Bearden Baptist Church
December
Sunday, December 1, 2019 | 2:30 PM
Classical Christmas
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Knoxville Choral Society
Tennessee Theatre
Thursday, December 12, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Christmas Concert
Knoxville Chamber Chorale
Church Street United Methodist Church
Friday, December 20, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 21, 2019 | 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 22, 2019 | 3:00 PM
Clayton Holiday Concerts
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Knoxville Choral Society
Knoxville Civic Auditorium
March
Thursday, March 12, 2020 | 7:30 PM
Stargazer
Knoxville Choral Society
Andrew Duncan, Conductor
Central Bearden Baptist Church
May
Friday, May 22, 2020 | 7:30 PM
Sing! Knoxville
Knoxville Choral Society
Clarence Brown Theatre, UTK Campus
Spring 2020 Knoxville Chamber Chorale concert – TBD
Tickets for guest appearances are available through the presenting organization.
Tickets for Knoxville Choral Society sponsored concerts will be available through the KCS
website or from a KCS member.
About Knoxville Choral Society
The Knoxville Choral Society is an auditioned choir that has been bringing the joy and wonder of
choral music to East Tennessee since 1951. KCS is dedicated to maintaining a rich tradition of
choral excellence for both its members and audiences. For more information about the choral
society, please visit the website at www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.