Oak Ridge Today

O’Kegley, Santa to conduct Oak Ridge Chorus on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Chorus Concert
The Oak Ridge Chorus is pictured in a concert above. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association will continue the celebration of its 75th anniversary season by presenting the Oak Ridge Chorus in “GLORIA!” on Saturday, December 7.

The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, which is at 212 North Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. Tickets are available at ORCMA.org, by phone at (865) 483-5569, at The Ferrell Shop, or at the door. Prices are $15 for adults, $5 for young adults ages 19-29, and free for youth 18 and younger through the Penny4Arts initiative. An extended Cyber Monday sale waives fees for online purchases, a press release said.

The performance of John Rutter’s Gloria is scored for chorus with organ, timpani, and an octet of brass players.

“Thanks to our affiliation with the Oak Ridge Symphony, musicians from the ranks of the orchestra will fulfil those roles, with St. Stephen’s Music Director Simon Ballintoy as our organist,” said Choral Director Seth O’Kegley.

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Community Band concert will honor veterans on Sunday

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This photo of the Oak Ridge Community Band was taken at the Oct. 6 concert held in Knoxville’s Sacred Heart Cathedral. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band is inviting the public and all area veterans to come to its “Veterans Salute” concert this Sunday afternoon, 3:30 p.m., at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center, a press release said.

The program will be a tribute to veterans for their service to the country and a recognition of all veterans in attendance at this concert, the press release said.

“The public is encouraged to bring family and friends and take this opportunity to show your appreciation for our veterans,” the release said.

In accordance with the Community Band’s new policy for its indoor concerts, there is no admission fee. [Read more…]

Sound Company has auditions on Saturday

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Children currently in first through 12th grade who enjoy music and performing are encouraged to come to the Grove Theater (High Places Community Church) in Oak Ridge to audition for Sound Company, the children’s show choir of Oak Ridge, on Saturday, October 19. Auditioners should prepare a song to perform, a press release said. You can sign up to audition and find out more at the Sound Company website, www.soundcompanytn.net.

Sound Company is comprised of approximately 100 children who come from all over East Tennessee. They present concerts featuring a wide range of music, from pop to Broadway to classical to multicultural, incorporating choreography and costumes into many of their pieces, and they have travelled regularly to Switzerland, where they have a “sister” choir, and to other places such as New York City. Sound Company is divided by age into four groups, and is led by Katy Wolfe and Terry Silver-Alford, both on staff at the University of Tennessee in the vocal music/musical theater departments and both regular performers in the area.

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Oak Ridge Public Library to host concert with cellist

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Alicia Randisi-Hooker (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Public Library will host a lunchtime concert with cellist Alicia Randisi-Hooker on Wednesday, October 16, from noon until 1 p.m. as part of the World Wise Wednesdays program.

An engaging speaker and performer, Alicia Randisi-Hooker is a well-known member of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and the Trillium Piano Trio, a press release said. She has performed extensively in a rich variety of settings, from the Knoxville Symphony to the Philly Pops orchestras, and in many chamber ensembles.

She studied in Germany with members of the renowned Alban Berg Quartet, and performed concerts in Italy, France, Germany, and across the United States. As a noted Suzuki cello teacher, her private cello students have won awards and scholarships both nationally and internationally, the press release said.

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ORCMA to celebrate 75 years with concert, reception

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Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and Oak Ridge Chorus 2019 (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a gala concert and reception on Sunday, October 20.

The concert and reception are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. October 20, at the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The concert will be performed by the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and special guests, Sound Company. Radio personality Melony Dodson will serve as the master of ceremonies.

“We are thrilled, as always, to feature Katy Wolfe and the awesome Sound Company,” said Music Director Dan Allcott. “They put the word ‘future’ in our title.”

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Oak Ridge church to host Emmy-nominated vocal ensemble in free holiday concert

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Inversion (Submitted photo)

An Oak Ridge church will host a free holiday concert in December that will feature Inversion, an Emmy Award-nominated vocal ensemble.

The special concert will be presented by Masskus Productions in cooperation with Oak Valley Baptist Church of Oak Ridge. The concert will be at the church at 194 Hampton Road at 5 p.m. Sunday, December 8, a press release said.

“We feel blessed here in Oak Ridge and are delighted to offer this musical celebration to the community free of charge,” said Pastor Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist Church.  “This is just one way for folks to settle down and relax during this hectic holiday season. We hope everyone will bring friends to enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon.”

Under the direction of David Ragland Jr., Inversions was born from a desire to showcase an array of talented friends, the press release said.

“They bring an eclectic vibe to a variety of musical genres,” the press release said.

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Bluegrass mass concert will help Second Harvest Food Bank

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Tim Sharp (Submitted photo)

A unique blend of bluegrass and classical choral music and lively Appalachian storytelling will be presented on October 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, 2829 Kingston Pike.

The University of Tennessee Chamber Choir and the choirs of First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge and Second Presbyterian Church of Knoxville will perform the choral music. The event is free and open to the public, but an offering will be taken to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves both Anderson and Knox counties, a press release said.

“Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass,” composed by Tim Sharp and Wes Ramsay, will be the main musical feature, the press release said. It combines the classical structure of the mass with bluegrass and mountain music performed by guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and voice.

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Sponsored: Tennessee Pirate Fest opens in Harriman next weekend

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Submitted photos (Photos in the story by Carson Hunt or Trent Eades)

Ahoy, Mates! Tennessee Pirate Fest Invites You!

The fourth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest invites you to go back in time to the “Age of Piracy.” This outdoor daytime interactive entertainment-oriented festival will be held the middle two weekends in October at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site in Harriman–just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek. Patrons will be transported to the fictional Caribbean town of Port Royale in the Tortugas, circa 1685.  

“This year, our characters are loosely based on the movies ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Captain Blood,'” said Barrie Paulson, Vice President-Manager and Entertainment Director. “Come meet the Governor of Port Royale and his daughter, British red coats, townspeople, and lots of pirates! Come with a happy heart and sense of adventure, and you’ll have lots of fun.”

Rotating on several stages will be numerous professional acts: Caribbean and Celtic music by Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, Thunder and Spice, The CrossJacks, PanEZ Steelband, Black Mash Hollow, and Timothy Russell. There will be portable benches, but patrons are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Performing interactive comedy or dance shows will be The Tortuga Twins (PG), Einstein Simplified, and Misfit Gypsies. Some acts will be different each weekend, and schedules will be available online and at the entrance.

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Oak Ridge Community Band starts season with free concert Sunday

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Walt Otey

The Oak Ridge Community Band will begin the 2019-2020 indoor concert season with a new venue for October and a new free admission policy.

“Oak Ridge residents are familiar with the tradition of free outdoor concerts during the summer seasons, but now the indoor Community Band concerts will also be free,” a press release said. “As the Community Band’s gift to the Oak Ridge community, there will be no admission fee for ORCB concerts. Instead, the Community Band will rely on donations to help with band expenses.”

The public is encouraged to go online at www.orcb.org to see the 2019-2020 concert schedule from October through April and also to learn how to become a donor to ORCB, the press release said. [Read more…]

Taste of Anderson County is Oct. 17

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An aerial view of Taste of Anderson County in Jackson Square. (Submitted photo)

Taste of Anderson County will be in Jackson Square this month. It’s scheduled from 5-10 p.m. Thursday, October 17.

“The annual food festival and fundraiser for United Way of Anderson County is the perfect way to spend a fall evening, with free activities for the kids, live music, alcohol tastings, and of course, tastes from your favorite local restaurants,” a press release said.

Soup Kitchen, Burchfield’s, Sassy Pants, Volunteer Dogs, Murray’s Oak Ridge, Freddy’s, Sicilia Pizza, Aubrey’s, and Panda Express are just a few of the restaurants to choose from, the press release said.

In addition, several local breweries and distilleries will be at the event to provide tastings. Beer tastings will be provided by Fanatic Brewing; Seven Springs Farm will be offering wine tastings; Sugarlands Distilling Company will have moonshine to sample; and Postmodern Spirits will be providing tastes of some of their vodkas, gins, and whiskeys. [Read more…]

Molly Tuttle, Alex Leach Band to perform in free concert Saturday

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Molly Tuttle and the Alex Leach Band will perform in a free concert in Oak Ridge on Saturday, July 14, 2019, for the last Summer Sessions concert of 2019 presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union. (Photo courtesy ORNL Federal Credit Union)

Molly Tuttle and the Alex Leach Band will perform in a free concert in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

It’s the last Summer Sessions concert of 2019 presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union.

Summer Sessions is a free concert series featuring bluegrass and American bands from throughout the region. Jim Lauderdale, Steve Gulley and the New Pinnacle, The Travelin’ McCourys, Circus No. 9, Ricky Skaggs, and Kentucky Thunder have also performed during the 2019 concert series.

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Storm the Grove will help young musicians, Grove Theater

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Storm the Grove Poster Sept 13 2019

Storm the Grove will help young musicians and raise money for the historic Grove Theater on Friday.

It’s a spoof of Area 51. Organizers said you can fly out to Nevada in hopes of seeing an alien—or save money, “storm the grove,” and be the alien you want to see. You are welcome to come dressed as your favorite space alien. There will be a cash prize for the best costume, organizers said.

Storm the Grove will spotlight Tennessee bands (musical earthlings): Zack Miles, Chloe Kimes, Nightly, and Drive Thru Therapy. One band is from Nashville, two from Knoxville, and one is based in Oak Ridge.

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