Knoxville, TN – June 14, 2017 – The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will host the KSO 33rd Annual Free Pilot Flying J Independence Day Concert on July 4, 2017, on the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park at 8:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly concert includes patriotic tributes and a spectacular fireworks finale. Music Director Aram Demirjian (AIR-um Deh-MUR-jun) will conduct the Orchestra in this annual concert as part of the City of Knoxville’s Festival on the Fourth. This concert is free to attend; no tickets are required. Blankets and lawn chairs encouraged.
Enjoy patriotic tunes such as the Star Spangled Banner, Armed Forces Salute and recognizable tunes including "Rocky Top," and "America the Beautiful," plus a tribute to American composer John Williams with selections from his epic film scores such as Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Orchestra will also be joined by local acoustic group Blond Bones and Knoxville Poet Laureate R.B. Morris, who will perform an original narration. View event details here.
Music Director Aram Demirjian said, "I can't think of a better way to celebrate our country than through the greatness of American music in all of its seemingly limitless varieties. In addition to patriotic favorites, we celebrate our regional musical heritage with up and coming local band, Blond Bones, who will perform Appalachian classics. And we'll mark the 85th birthday of American legend John Williams with selections from some of his most beloved film scores. There's something for everybody!"
The KSO is proud to partner with the City of Knoxville, Pilot Flying J and WBIR-TV for this Independence Day concert. Both the concert and the fireworks display will be live broadcast on WBIR-TV Channel 10. Click here for more information on parking, activities and prohibited items. Those who use the hashtag #KSOJuly4 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will be entered to win a pair of Masterworks tickets for the upcoming season! Don’t forget to share your photos with us by tagging @knoxsymphony on social media.
Local band Blond Bones was founded in 2015 by Christian Barnett and Joe Rebrovick, both Nashville natives. Influenced by 1960’s style melodies mixed with fusion and dance rhythms with an intent on lyricism steeped in storytelling, this local acoustic duo quickly grew into an indie pop/surf rock quartet when they added band members Joey English and Daniel Ryan to complete the foursome. The group is currently touring the southeast, promoting their new EP “Sierra.” To listen or check tour dates, visit www.facebook.com/blondbones.
R.B. Morris is a poet and songwriter, solo performer and bandleader, and a sometimes playwright and actor from Knoxville, Tennessee. He has published books of poetry including Early Fires (Iris Press), Keeping The Bees Employed, and The Mockingbird Poems (Rich Mountain Bound), and music albums including Spies Lies and Burning Eyes, and his most recent solo project Rich Mountain Bound. He wrote and acted in The Man Who Lives Here Is Looney, a one-man play taken from the life and work of James Agee, and was instrumental in founding a park dedicated to Agee in Knoxville. Morris served as the Jack E. Reese Writer-in-Residence at The University of Tennessee from 2004-2008 and was inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame in 2009. He currently lives in Knoxville with his wife and daughter.
About the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Established in 1935, and now under the leadership of Music Director Aram Demirjian, the KSO has contributed to the cultural life in East Tennessee continuously for 80 years, providing excellence in musical and educational programs. The Orchestra consists of 80 professional musicians and performs more than 300 programs throughout the region each season, reaching audiences of more than 200,000 people. The KSO performs in traditional venues such as the Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre, and the Civic Auditorium as well as non-traditional places like hospitals, schools, city parks, and churches. For more information regarding the KSO or the Independence Day Concert, please call 865-291-3310
