Violinist Rachel Loseke played in a small group outside the stone greenhouses at Knoxville Botanical Garden.
You often hear Aram Demirjian, music director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, say that 70 percent of the KSO’s performances occur outside of concert halls. By that, he means that, in addition to the scheduled concerts, the musicians also perform in schools, libraries, hospitals and other public places throughout the year.
Case in point: the KSO kicked off its 2024-25 season last Thursday with a free concert in four different locations in the Knoxville Botanical Garden. Hundreds of people attended. And the crowd was diverse with the age of listeners ranging from literal babes in arms to very senior citizens. It was wonderful!
Some folks brought folding chairs and blankets; some packed food; others purchased dinner from a food truck on site. The program featured the music of Franz Joseph Haydn, although many other composers were represented, too, during the fast-moving 90-minutes of music. It was fun for the audience to move, as well, as we listened to small groups of musicians play in various gardens before everyone ended up at the Dogwood Center for the finale by the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra.
If you missed this event, I have good news for you. The KSO will perform another free concert this coming Thursday, Sept. 12, on Market Square. Bring your chairs or come early and snag seats on the patio of one of the great Market Square eateries. See you there!
Knoxville Symphony CEO Rachel Ford with Ralph Cianelli, left, and Rick Fox studying a map of the layout of the various performances. Rick is president of the KSO Board of Directors.
First stop was the Stone Terraces where this quartet was set up. From left, Sean Claire, Zofia Glashauser, Josh Ulrich, and Stacy Nickell.
What a great crowd!
On a beautiful evening.
Stacy Nickell on cello; Zofia Glashauser on violin.
Our next stop was in the Row Garden, where the crowd was more spread out.
That’s where we saw Madison Sims, left, and Rosa Mar.
Performers were, from left, Jennifer George, Kyle Venlet, Jennifer Bloch, and Adam Ayers.
It was such a relaxed vibe.
KSO Concertmaster William Shaub was looking on.
Cellist Adam Ayers.
Also enjoying the music!
As we were moving to the next location outside the Stone Greenhouse, we passed Music Director Aram Demirjian and Joan Ashe.
Performing there, from left, Rachel Loseke, I-Pei Lin, Sarah Senn, and Bill Pierce.
Another relaxed locale.
Bill Pierce.
Kathryn Frady Marvel, executive artistic director of Marble City Opera, and Ralph Cianelli.
Rachel Ford and Sharon Moore, executive director of Knoxville Botanical Garden.
Matt Keaney, president of the Botanical Garden Board of Directors, center, with Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli.
We arrived a little early at the Dogwood Center for the finale, and Trianne Newbrey, the KSO’s director of communications, was finishing setting up the signage.
Soon, another very nice-sized crowd had assembled. Altogether, the official estimate is that about 800 people attended.
It included our friends John Niceley and Martha Kern, with little Henry.
Music Director Aram Demirjian welcoming everyone.
Edward Pulgar, left, and Sean Claire during the performance.
Kyle Venlet.
Adam Ayers, left, and Andy Bryenton.
Night was falling as the lovely evening drew to a close.
Hope to see you Thursday on Market Square at 7:30!
So fun!
Monique: It really was. The weather was perfect. The music and setting were sublime. We are so lucky to have both the Symphony and the Botanical Garden in our community.