Blog: City Blog

KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian: 'I Couldn't Have Imagined a Better Greeting'

Music Director Aram Demirjian is off to a fast, upbeat start with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

He conducted the Orchestra for the first time as its Maestro on Monday, part of the 32nd annual Pilot Flying J Independence Day Concert at World’s Fair Park. A huge Festival on the Fourth crowd of 60,000 people cheered the patriotic music and 15-minute fireworks finale, with the Sunsphere base illuminated in red, white and blue lights.

Combined with a WBIR Channel 10 audience watching at home, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra entertained more than 160,000 people.

Not a bad debut for Demirjian, who grew up near Boston, has served as Associate Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony for the past four years and is excited about joining and enhancing Knoxville's vibrant arts and music culture.

"I couldn't imagine a better greeting from the city," Demirjian said. "Our Fourth of July free concert generated enthusiasm for the symphony and for the city. It was a wonderful day."

The next day, Demirjian, accompanied by KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford and KSO Director of Communications Rachel Dellinger, stopped by the Mayor's Office to visit Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero.

The Mayor and the Maestro talked about Armenian food and culture, about outdoor recreational offerings in Knoxville, and about Demirjian's plans to extend KSO's community outreach even more.

The Orchestra's 80 professional musicians perform about 250 programs throughout the region each season - in traditional venues, such as the Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre and the Civic Auditorium, but also in such non-traditional places as hospitals, schools, city parks and churches.

Aram Demirjian (pronounced AIR-um Deh-MUR-jun) wants to do even more - deepening the bond between city residents and KSO, with the symphony continuing to symbolize Knoxville's heritage, diversity and cultural range.

Congratulations on a great premier, and welcome to Knoxville, Aram! For more details about KSO's young new conductor, please visit http://www.knoxvillesymphony.com/artist/105/aram-demirjian/.

Posted by evreeland On 06 July, 2016 at 2:16 PM