CONCERT CALENDAR
Festival of Sound - Bearden
Festival of Sound
A Festival of Sound
Knoxville Choral Society, Fall Masterworks
This fall, the Knoxville Choral Society invites you to A Festival of Sound, an evening (and afternoon) celebration of choral music spanning centuries and continents. The program draws together voices of light and voices of lament: the shimmering harmonic textures of Ērik Ešenvalds' Trinity Te Deum, the soulful, blues-inflected spirituality of Kyle Pederson's Micah Blues, the aching beauty of John Ireland's wartime elegy Greater Love Hath No Man, and the radiant, brass-lined jubilation of John Rutter's Gloria, along with additional works rounding out a program built to move, uplift, and inspire.
From ancient text set in strikingly modern harmony to contemporary music rooted in prophetic justice, from Ireland's meditation on sacrifice to Rutter's exultant finale, A Festival of Sound offers a journey through the many voices choral music can take: sorrowful, hopeful, and triumphant all at once.
Performances:
Friday, October 30, 2026, 7:00 PM
Central Bearden Church
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 3:00 PM
Community Church at Tellico Village
Join the Knoxville Choral Society for an unforgettable celebration of the human voice raised in song.
Festival of Sound - Tellico Village
Festival of Sound
A Festival of Sound
Knoxville Choral Society, Fall Masterworks
This fall, the Knoxville Choral Society invites you to A Festival of Sound, an evening (and afternoon) celebration of choral music spanning centuries and continents. The program draws together voices of light and voices of lament: the shimmering harmonic textures of Ērik Ešenvalds' Trinity Te Deum, the soulful, blues-inflected spirituality of Kyle Pederson's Micah Blues, the aching beauty of John Ireland's wartime elegy Greater Love Hath No Man, and the radiant, brass-lined jubilation of John Rutter's Gloria, along with additional works rounding out a program built to move, uplift, and inspire.
From ancient text set in strikingly modern harmony to contemporary music rooted in prophetic justice, from Ireland's meditation on sacrifice to Rutter's exultant finale, A Festival of Sound offers a journey through the many voices choral music can take: sorrowful, hopeful, and triumphant all at once.
Performances:
Friday, October 30, 2026, 7:00 PM
Central Bearden Church
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 3:00 PM
Community Church at Tellico Village
Join the Knoxville Choral Society for an unforgettable celebration of the human voice raised in song.
Chamber Choral Fall Concert
Thursday, November 19, 2027 | 7:00 PM
The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | Knoxville, TN
Join the Knoxville Chamber Chorale for an evening of choral artistry in one of Knoxville's most breathtaking sacred spaces. This fall concert brings together the voices of the Chamber Chorale for a program that celebrates the beauty and depth of choral music in a setting perfectly suited to the art form.
Admission is free and open to the community, but seating is limited and reservations are required.
Handel's Messiah with the KSO
Handel’s Messiah with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
November 22, 2026 | 2:30 PM
Tennessee Theatre
Celebrate the holiday season with one of the most beloved choral works of all time—Handel’s Messiah. The Knoxville Choral Society joins the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for this cherished annual tradition, bringing to life the majesty and joy of Handel’s timeless oratorio.
Featuring the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus and many other treasured movements, this performance is a highlight of the season and a powerful expression of faith, hope, and musical brilliance. Under the direction of KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian, the orchestra, chorus, and guest soloists come together in a moving performance that captures the spirit of the season.
Young Artists Concert
Young Artists Concert
Presented by the Knoxville Choral Society
Friday, February 19, 2027 | 7:00 PM
Central Bearden | 6300 Deane Hill Dr.
Celebrate the next generation of choral talent at the Knoxville Choral Society’s Young Artists Concert. This inspiring evening features performances by our 2027 scholarship winners and the Knoxville Choral Society.
Dedicated to supporting and showcasing young artists, this concert highlights the passion, skill, and promise of emerging musicians while offering audiences a diverse and uplifting musical experience.
Brahms' "A German Requiem"
A German Requiem, op.45,
Johannes Brahms
April 15 & 16, 2027 | 7:30 PM
Tennessee Theatre
When Brahms was 21 years old, he attempted to write his first symphony. It was a disaster. He suffered from extreme insecurity and a fear that nothing he could ever write would be a worthy successor to the symphonies of Beethoven. So he shelved the work until, a few years later, he decided to use parts of it in his First Piano Concerto. But this concerto was such a flop with contemporary audiences that he gave up writing largescale orchestra works altogether.
It took the death of both Brahms’ mother, Christiane, and his beloved mentor, Robert Schumann, to shake Brahms out of his self-doubt. He was determined to write a requiem for chorus and orchestra that would adequately reflect the magnitude of emotions he felt at the time. From the outset, it was to be a work of grand proportions and unprecedented originality. The title "A German Requiem" signals right away that this is a different sort of piece. This is not the requiem of Roman Catholic tradition, sung in Latin. Rather it is a requiem that draws from an assemblage of biblical texts focused on spiritual healing, sung in colloquial German. In this way, Brahms offers us a requiem designed to give comfort to the living, instead of a prescribed prayer for the departed. At its premiere in 1868, Brahms finally found the triumph he sought. His Requiem not only achieved great international success, but also triggered a shift in maturity that was to mark Brahms’ work and career from then on.
Neither a mass nor strictly an oratorio, Brahms’ Requiem is a unique creation divided into seven movements. Over the course of these movements, the listener is taken on a search for enlightenment, beginning with the mourning process and ending with an ultimate promise of eternal peace. But it is the journey that fulfills us, not its destination.
Hear Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem live with the Knoxville Choral Society — a comforting, powerful work sung by full choir and orchestra. Enjoy rich harmonies, soaring choral moments, and quiet, reflective passages, with professional soloists and a chamber orchestra.
Whether you’re experienced or new to large-scale choral music, this concert is a moving, high-quality musical evening shared with a dedicated community.
Spring Concert - Knoxville Chamber Chorale
Knoxville Chamber Chorale Spring Concert
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 7:30 PM
The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | Knoxville, TN
Join the Knoxville Chamber Chorale for an evening of choral artistry in one of Knoxville's most breathtaking sacred spaces. This spring concert brings together the voices of the Chamber Chorale for a program that celebrates the beauty and depth of choral music in a setting perfectly suited to the art form.
Admission is free and open to the community, but seating is limited and reservations are required.
75th Anniversary Celebration
75th Anniversary Celebration Concerts
Presented by the Knoxville Choral Society
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Community Church at Tellico Village
Celebrate 75 years of choral excellence with the Knoxville Choral Society at our 75th Anniversary Celebration Concerts—a milestone event honoring the legacy, artistry, and future of one of East Tennessee’s premier choral ensembles.
At the heart of the celebration is the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by our very own assistant director and accompanist, Andrew Duncan, composed in honor of this extraordinary occasion.
Join us as we reflect on our history, share in the joy of live performance, and look forward to the next chapter of choral music in our community.
Tickets for this concert can be purchased by calling the church office at 865-458-1516.
75th Anniversary Celebration
75th Anniversary Celebration Concerts
Presented by the Knoxville Choral Society
Friday, April 24, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Central Bearden
Celebrate 75 years of choral excellence with the Knoxville Choral Society at our 75th Anniversary Celebration Concerts—a milestone event honoring the legacy, artistry, and future of one of East Tennessee’s premier choral ensembles.
At the heart of the celebration is the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by our very own assistant director and accompanist, Andrew Duncan, composed in honor of this extraordinary occasion.
Join us as we reflect on our history, share in the joy of live performance, and look forward to the next chapter of choral music in our community.
Together We Sing: Young Artists Concert
Together We Sing: Young Artists Concert
Presented by the Knoxville Choral Society
Friday, February 20, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Central Bearden | 6300 Deane Hill Dr.
Celebrate the next generation of choral talent at the Knoxville Choral Society’s Together We Sing: Young Artists Concert. This inspiring evening features performances by our 2026 scholarship winners, South Doyle High School, and the Knoxville Choral Society.
Dedicated to supporting and showcasing young artists, this concert highlights the passion, skill, and promise of emerging musicians while offering audiences a diverse and uplifting musical experience.
Clayton Holiday Concert
39th Annual Clayton Holiday Concert with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
December 19–21, 2025
Civic Auditorium, Knoxville
Ring in the season with one of East Tennessee’s most cherished holiday traditions! The Knoxville Choral Society joins the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for the 39th Annual Clayton Holiday Concert, a festive celebration filled with seasonal favorites, sing-alongs, and heartwarming musical moments for the whole family.
Enjoy a joyful blend of classical and contemporary holiday music, surprise guests, and a few magical touches that are sure to delight audiences of all ages. With four performances to choose from, there’s plenty of opportunity to make this concert part of your holiday tradition.
Christmas with the Knoxville Chamber Chorale
Christmas with the Knoxville Chamber Chorale
Free Admission
Join the Knoxville Chamber Chorale for a festive afternoon of choral music as we celebrate the sounds and spirit of the holiday season. Presented in the serene setting of Second Presbyterian Church, this year’s Christmas concert offers a rich program of traditional carols, contemporary compositions, and timeless Christmas favorites.
Featured works include:
O Magnum Mysterium — Morten Lauridsen
I Wonder as I Wander — Kyle Pederson
Hodie Christus Natus Est — J. P. Sweelinck
The First Noel — Andrew Huish
There Is No Rose — Connor Koppin
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — arr. Jay Althouse
This concert is free and open to the public. We invite you, your family, and your friends to share in an afternoon of beauty, reflection, and joyful celebration.
Handel's "Messiah"
Handel’s Messiah with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
November 30, 2025 | 2:30 PM
Tennessee Theatre
Celebrate the holiday season with one of the most beloved choral works of all time—Handel’s Messiah. The Knoxville Choral Society joins the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for this cherished annual tradition, bringing to life the majesty and joy of Handel’s timeless oratorio.
Featuring the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus and many other treasured movements, this performance is a highlight of the season and a powerful expression of faith, hope, and musical brilliance. Under the direction of KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian, the orchestra, chorus, and guest soloists come together in a moving performance that captures the spirit of the season.
Cathedral Concert
Knoxville Choral Society Cathedral Concert
October 30, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | Knoxville, TN
The Cathedral Concert Series is proud to host the Knoxville Choral Society, under the direction of maestro Dr. John R. Orr. Experience the power and beauty of choral music in a sacred setting as the Knoxville Choral Society presents a stirring evening of beautiful choral music at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This concert features a dynamic program of choral works that showcase the depth, artistry, and vocal excellence of one of East Tennessee’s premier choral ensembles.
With soaring harmonies, rich textures, and moments of quiet reflection, this program is designed to uplift and inspire. Whether you are a long-time choral music lover or discovering it for the first time, this performance promises a moving and memorable experience.
Admission is Free: Seating is Limited. Register via the Eventbrite link below. (doors open 1 hour before concert). Please Respect our Sacred Space: No Food/Drink/Gum.
The event will also be livestreamed, recorded, and archived access available at...
https://m.youtube.com/c/SacredHeartCathedralKnoxvilleTN
Knoxville Chamber Chorale - FREE ADMISSION
The Glory of Autumn
Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Fountain City United Methodist Church
Join the Knoxville Chamber Chorale for "The Glory of Autumn", an evening of intimate and expressive choral music in the beautiful acoustics of Fountain City United Methodist Church. Under the direction of Dr. John R. Orr and accompanied by Leslie Hill, the ensemble will present a program that reflects the beauty and vitality of the season. This concert is FREE and open to the public.
Highlights include Come Let’s Rejoice by John Amner, Norwegian Alleluia by Kim André Arnesen, and Autumn by Kevin A. Memley. The concert will also feature spirituals, contemporary works, and other choral treasures that showcase the Chorale’s precision, warmth, and artistry.
As a select ensemble of the Knoxville Choral Society, the Chamber Chorale brings together some of East Tennessee’s finest singers. This concert promises moments of serenity, passion, and power—an unforgettable celebration of choral artistry and the glory of autumn. No ticket required - FREE admission.
Beethoven's 9th Symphony
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
September 18 & 19, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Tennessee Theatre
Join the Knoxville Choral Society and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening featuring one of the most iconic works in the classical canon: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Known for its monumental "Ode to Joy" finale, this symphony is a powerful celebration of humanity, unity, and hope.
Performed in the stunning historic Tennessee Theatre, this concert marks the opening of the KSO’s 2025–2026 Masterworks Series. Under the baton of Music Director Aram Demirjian, the orchestra and chorus unite in this breathtaking work alongside a stellar cast of vocal soloists.
Don’t miss this awe-inspiring performance that showcases the full force and spirit of Knoxville’s vibrant classical music community.