Knoxville Choral Society
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In this episode of East Tennessee Now, host Frank Murphy welcomes Dr. John Orr and Andrew Duncan of the Knoxville Choral Society to celebrate the organization's 75th anniversary. The conversation centers on the upcoming world premiere of Andrew Duncan's commissioned work, 'Images of Knoxville,' a deeply personal and cinematic choral piece inspired by everyday life in the city—ranging from porch swings and fireflies to the emotional weight of loss and hope. The piece, composed over a year with extra time due to a shift in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s schedule, will be performed alongside classic works by Handel, Mozart, and Holst, creating a powerful blend of tradition and innovation. The Choral Society, a volunteer-driven ensemble with a rich history dating back to 1951, continues to evolve by embracing new music, including jazz, rap, and contemporary compositions, while maintaining its commitment to high artistic standards. The episode also highlights the group’s outreach through youth collaborations, scholarships, and community engagement, underscoring its role as a vital cultural institution in East Tennessee.
The Knoxville Choral Society celebrates its 75th anniversary with the world premiere of Andrew Duncan’s 'Images of Knoxville' on April 24th and 25th.
The new work blends personal inspiration—like porch life and fireflies—with emotional depth, drawing subtle parallels to Samuel Barber’s 'Knoxville Summer of 1915'.
The concert features a mix of classic choral masterpieces and bold new works, reflecting the group’s balance of tradition and innovation.
The Choral Society actively supports young musicians through annual scholarships and collaborations with high school and college choirs.
Rehearsals are held weekly, and members are passionate volunteers who balance demanding schedules to maintain artistic excellence.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Knoxville Choral Society
Host Frank Murphy introduces the episode and welcomes Dr. John Orr and Andrew Duncan, highlighting the Choral Society’s 75th anniversary and upcoming concert.
The 75th Anniversary Concert and 'Images of Knoxville'
“I wanted to try to capture that. And I think there's an element of that in Samuel Barber's Knoxville summer of 1915, where James Agee is really just talking about the nostalgia of being at home as a child and what that felt like.”
Composition Process and Collaboration
Andrew Duncan discusses the challenges of writing a piece that honors Barber’s legacy while finding a unique voice, and John Orr shares how he interprets the new work as conductor.
The Choral Society’s History and Structure
The origins of the Choral Society are traced back to 1951, with a focus on its amateur, volunteer-driven model and the rigorous audition process.
The Role of the Chorale and Youth Engagement
The smaller Chorale group and the society’s outreach to young musicians through scholarships and collaborations are highlighted.
“It's not going to last too long. But if they love it, I hope that they'll come again because it won't last long enough for them so they'll want to come back to the next concert.”
“I wanted to try to capture that. And I think there's an element of that in Samuel Barber's Knoxville summer of 1915, where James Agee is really just talking about the nostalgia of being at home as a child and what that felt like.”
“It’s a joy and I think it’s You know, just to give Aram some props. I could do the Messiah or not do the Messiah until I did it with him and it was like a whole new piece.”
Host
Guests
Knoxville Choral Society
organization
Andrew Duncan
person
Dr. John Orr
person
Frank Murphy
person
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
organization
Handel's Messiah
other
Aram Demergen
person
Chorale
organization
Samuel Barber
person
Zadok the Priest
other
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