Formally established in 1935, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra is the oldest continuously performing symphony orchestra in the Southeast. Our founder and first conductor, Bertha Walburn Clark, believed that “every important occasion in life must have music.” That belief continues to guide our work to this day.
The KSO reaches more than 100,000 people each year across Knoxville and communities throughout East Tennessee. More than 70% of our performances take place outside the concert hall through education programs, community partnerships, and free public concerts that bring music directly to the people we serve.
The 2025–26 season marked our 90th season and was a milestone of creative growth. The 9 for 90 initiative brought nine new works by nine composers to life, commissioned specifically for the KSO and premiered throughout the season. It was an exciting, forward-looking celebration of new music and creative collaboration.
As we look to the future, the KSO remains committed to artistic excellence, meaningful community engagement, and making music accessible and relevant to all.
Our mission: To develop and sustain a symphony orchestra of the highest artistic standards, and to reach East Tennessee audiences of all ages by providing excellence in musical performance and education programs.
