Mission
History
Through the decades the musical enrichment included classical concerts, entertaining pops and light musical offerings, captivating soloists, and empowering opportunities for young musicians. The Kingsport Symphony Youth Orchestra was formed in 1965 and presently consists of 80 young people representing the entire region.The mid-1980’s brought the premier run out performance in Bristol plus the beginning of the Education in the Schools Outreach program. In 1994 Musicians in the Schools began. In 2003, Kingsport Symphony was renamed Symphony of the Mountains. The chorus merged with the Bristol Concert Choir under the name Voices of the Mountains.
In the 80’s and 90’s the orchestra grew steadily and increased its outreach. As mandated by the Board of Directors, the commitment to service encompasses the entire region, without regard for state or county boundaries. In 1998 the symphony board added to the long-range plans the goal of becoming an orchestra for the entire Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region, a service area of approximately 450,000 citizens. They mandated the orchestra to become a fully-professional orchestra. Today the orchestra consists of more than 70 professional musicians and is conducted by Cornelia Laemmli Orth.