Oak Ridge Philharmonia

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia is a community-based symphony orchestra located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, dedicated to fostering a lifelong appreciation and enthusiasm for classical and contemporary orchestral music. The organization's mission is to provide the local community with high-quality musical performances and to serve as a unique music resource for area students, teachers, and educational institutions. Additionally, the Philharmonia offers local musicians an opportunity to explore and perform great orchestral literature in a relaxed atmosphere, thus serving the dual purpose of cultural enrichment and musician engagement. Founded in the summer of 1993, the Oak Ridge Philharmonia originally emerged as the Oak Ridge Community Orchestra in support of the Music Arts Scholarship Fund Drive. The first conductor, Philip Hansen, was not only a Music Arts faculty member but also a conducting student of Kirk Trevor and the principal cellist of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble quickly established itself as an integral part of the Oak Ridge cultural scene, performing at various venues including the High School Auditorium, the First Methodist Church, and Roane State College. In 1996, the orchestra made the significant decision to rehearse year-round, distinguishing itself as Oak Ridge's only all-year orchestra. The following year marked another milestone when the group was granted full membership in the Oak Ridge Arts Council. By 1998, the orchestra had achieved nonprofit status, solidifying the framework for its current operations. Throughout its history, the Oak Ridge Philharmonia has been a central feature of the city's cultural life, participating in annual events like the Secret City Festival and the Dogwood Arts Festival. The orchestra has also collaborated with numerous distinguished soloists, such as Ilia Steinschneider, Bernadette Lo, and Dr. Chih-Long Hu, as well as engaging with choirs for various performances. The Philharmonia has been under the leadership of several conductors over the years, including Stacy Taylor (1995-2005), John Pippen (2006-2008), and Gabriel Leifkowitz (2014-2015). Dr. Marcelo Urias has had two tenures as conductor, first in 2009-2010 and then from 2015 to the present. Rehearsals for the Oak Ridge Philharmonia are held at the First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, located at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. These sessions take place on Mondays starting at 6:30 pm. The organization can be contacted via phone at 865-679-4668 or through email at oakridgephilharmoniagmail.com. The Oak Ridge Philharmonia continues to invite local musicians and enthusiasts to become members, contributing to the orchestra's ongoing tradition of musical excellence and community service.