Music Treasures of Knoxville, TN

Another Area Music Treasure

Many Knoxvillians don't know about the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association (ORCMA) concert series. I just attended a wonderful concert by the the Oak Ridge (Symphony) String Quartet. They couldn't have chosen harder music, me thinks. I am proud to say that two of the players are Violettes Violin Purse owners! The really special kind, the handmade ones that make extra special Violin Gifts! That said, the music was spectacular. It was all from the Romantic Period from composers Schubert, Mendelssohn and Grieg. I think of romantic music as slow and "drippy". This music was swift to put it mildly. And the program notes for the concert were dripping with the author's personality.The quartet concert was just one from the Chamber Music Series. The series is fun with such variety. I attended the Classical Guitar Concert earlier in the season, and hope to attend the next on Saturday May 7 with the Aspen String Trio and Eugenia Moliner on Flute. Please google the Oak Ridge Symphony and Chorus concert schedules.Also sponsored by ORCMA, is a spectacular free concert series called Coffee Concerts. Google the ORCMA web site to find the schedule of all the concerts. Next up with them is Donald Daugherty on Piano and Organ on Sunday, 6 March 2016 - 7:30pm. The series are usually held at: Oak Ridge First Presbyterian Church, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Some of Knoxville's hidden music treasures have performed there FOR FREE! (Of course ORCMA and the musicians, would love and deserve donations, but don't push this at the concerts). The Trillium Trio has performed in these series along with the Soiree Winds. When I first heard each of these 2 groups, I couldn't believe I have missed hearing them for so long!Another awesome concert venue that is often sadly very empty is at the UTK Concert Hall, the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall. There is so much going on there, and again, so much for free. Check the UTK Music Department web site for concert schedules. There are faculty concerts, student concerts and guest concerts in addition to the "Ready for the World Music Series" (founded and directed by UTK Violin Professor, Dr. Miroslav Hristov). The "World " concerts feature artists from around the world! They even have a display about the culture and a full food reception all for free (but could use donations).The next UTK guest artist recital Is Pro Arte Quartet on Monday, February 29 at 8:00 p.mThe next "World" concert is:  Sunday April 3 with music from Scandinavia. Ticketed Events include the Young Pianist Series and an annual concert from International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, South Quarterfinal Tournament. I have attended both, and both are extremely wonderful. We once heard the phenomenal Doric String Quartet there for free, although we gave a donation check. They by the way own Violettes Violin Gifts in the form of handmade violin and cello bags to keep spare strings and things. I am told the 2 violinists travel with their violin bags.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another Knoxville Music Treasure, is the Guitar Society. Regular concerts are held at Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan. We Interviewed the society founder, Larry Long in a Previous blog  (also a proud owner of a Violettes Guitar Bag). The next concert is on Saturday March 7 at 7PM with the Duende. Duende is an exciting duo based in Cleveland, Ohio, which combines the sounds of the classical guitar and the saxophone.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------So if that isn't enough to get you out, contact me below, and I'll give you more!