The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra made their debut of “Youthful Inspirations” on Saturday, Feb. 19, in The Martin Center for the Arts. Originating in 1969, the symphony has grown into a 70-piece full orchestra with musicians of all ages and levels of experience.
Dr. Robert J. Seebacher has been the music director and conductor for over ten years. The orchestra combined with the Science Hill High School Orchestra and played the audience pieces by famous composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Dag Wiren, and John Rutter.
Jennifer Clements, executive director of the Martin Center and university events, recognized this concert as marking “the beginning of community partnerships that ETSU and the region’s leaders in the arts, business and government dreamed of and worked toward for about 30 years.”
Entertaining the Tri-Cities now for over 50 years, the community orchestra features local artists while supporting internationally known artists such as Bela Fleck, Valentina Lisitsa, Chee-Yun, Bella Hristova, The Canadian Brass and the Celtic ensemble Mithril.
Clements looks forward to the collaboration that will evolve from shared vision of the arts through the two Johnson City Symphony Orchestra concerts and the Symphony of the Mountains’ events taking place in the next coming months.
Throughout their years of operation, the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra has been able to provide the community of all ages with free resources through the funding of its sponsors and donors. Events such as educational concerts for grades K-12, annual Outdoors pops Concert, school supply drives, toy drives and food drives are provided for the community at no cost.
Additionally, admissions are free to music students and veterans along with free bus services for seniors to concerts.
As the orchestra continues to provide and promote music to the region, its mission is to educate and entertain it’s expanding and diverse audience.
