ORCHESTRA
Symphony Orchestra
The 70-piece Symphony Orchestra is the most prominent collegiate orchestral ensemble in the state. As a member, you’ll perform in several concerts annually, dedicated to the larger orchestral literature from the 18th century through the present: symphonies, overtures, choral-orchestral, large-scale string works, and concertos featuring the outstanding faculty of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music and renown guest artists. The Symphony Orchestra also holds Composer Reading Sessions, where you will read and record new orchestral compositions by student composers. Every year a special “Concertos and Classics” concert is presented, which features the student winners of the annual Concerto Competition.
Chamber Orchestra
The Chamber Orchestra, is dedicated to smaller, more intimate works in the orchestral literature, performing a wide range of repertoire from the 16th century through the present.
Opera Orchestra
The Opera Orchestra performs in conjunction with the UT Opera Theatre program and sometimes collaborates with the Knoxville Opera in joint productions. You’ll have opportunities to play in some of Knoxville’s finest performing theaters, collaborate with both student and professional singers, and be lead by outstanding faculty and operatic artists.
Contemporary Music Ensemble
By participating in the Contemporary Music Ensemble, you’ll perform repertoire composed after 1950, with an emphasis on living composers and new student compositions.
James Fellenbaum
Associate Professor of Conducting, Director of Orchestras
James Fellenbaum enjoys an extraordinarily diverse career as a conductor, equally at home with Symphonic music, Chamber Orchestra repertoire, Pops, Ballet, Opera, Choral-Orchestral, and Film with Live Orchestra.
James is the Director of Orchestras at the University of Tennessee, a position he has held since 2003. He oversees and conducts the Orchestra Program, which includes the Symphony Orchestra – the most prominent collegiate ensemble in the state – the Chamber Orchestra, founded in 2004, the Contemporary Music Ensemble, founded in 2006 and dedicated to music written since 1950, and UT Opera Theater, where he oversees orchestral administration, and has conducted past productions such as Don Giovanni, La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Turn of the Screw, Sweeney Todd, and more.