KINGSPORT, Tenn. —Cornelia Laemmli Orth, the long-serving music director and conductor ofSymphony of the Mountains, has announced her retirement.
The enormously popular and globally respected Orth will put down her baton at the end of the 2027-2028 season, following a transformative 21-year tenure with the organization.
Under her visionary leadership, Orth has raised the profile and reputation of Symphony of the Mountains to unprecedented levels.
During her two decades at the helm, she successfully increased the organization's donor base, attracted more patrons, produced additional concerts across a diverse range of communities, expanded the roster of professional musicians and broadened outreach efforts.
“I have decided to retire at the end of my contract in June 2028,” Orth said. “I am very thankful for 20 amazing years with Symphony of the Mountains. It has been one of the most fascinating adventures of my life and a great honor. My decision does not come from unhappiness. There is no problem with Symphony of the Mountains and its team. I could not be happier with the staff, orchestra, Voices of the Mountains, Board of Directors, donors, patrons and everything we do. I love this organization and all the people in and around it. Instead, it is time for me to choose our family and all my other interests.”
“It is with heartfelt gratitude and tremendous respect we announce the retirement of our beloved conductor, music leader and dear friend, Cornelia,” Symphony of the Mountains Board of Directors chairRick McVeycommented. “Words cannot begin to adequately describe what Cornelia has meant to Symphony of the Mountains and so many people throughout our region. Cornelia leaves behind an incredible legacy that extends far beyond the concert stage. Through her music and community outreach, she has made an indelible mark on this organization and a lasting impact across our region. She has enriched and entertained countless lives through her music and loving and caring heart. We will deeply miss her talent, wit and charm – and her gentle good humor – and we wish her God speed in all her future endeavors.”
“After 20 years, the time has come for this organization to have a new artistic leader,” Orth added. “I can’t wait to see what new heights will be achieved.”
A global search for her successor will commence soon. Details of the search process and timeline will be announced in the coming days.
Orth convincingly combines the classical-romantic tradition of her old-world origins with a unique American flavor. Her international background and extensive working experience have provided this region with inspiring leadership and captivating performances.
Orth’s impact extended far beyond the traditional concert hall. In addition to the Masterworks Series, she expanded the orchestra's programming to encompass new series, including Summer Outdoor, Family, Young People’s, Pops, Patriotic and Cross-Over concerts. These innovative formats positioned Symphony of the Mountains to become the first Tennessee orchestra to travel abroad for a European tour, performing alongside the acclaimed Kruger Brothers.
In 2022, Orth launched “Paths to Dignity,” a groundbreaking musical outreach program designed to bring live music to unsheltered individuals while raising awareness for the challenges faced by unhoused families. Her commitment to community integration was also reflected in her frequent concert lectures, engagements with regional schools and universities, civic speeches and regular appearances on television and radio.
Prior to her celebrated tenure with Symphony of the Mountains, Orth served as the music director and conductor of the Oak Ridge Symphony and Choir, and as associate conductor and principal guest conductor of the Knoxville Symphony from 2002 to 2008.
Her extensive career also includes serving as music director of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithaca, New York, from 2016 to 2022, and guest conducting appearances with Opera Ithaca, the Kansas Intercollegiate Orchestra, the Brevard Philharmonic and the Asheville Lyric Opera.
In Europe, she served as music director of the Operetta Theatre in Möriken, Switzerland, and as guest assistant conductor under Philippe Jordan at La Scala in Milan, Italy. She is a sought-after guest conductor in the United States and Europe.
Orth received her Lehrdiplom in piano from the Conservatory at Winterthur and earned a master’s degree in music education from the Conservatory and University in Zurich. She obtained her Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University under Victor Yampolsky, and furthered her training in masterclasses with legendary conductors including Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta and Robert Spano.
Symphony of the Mountains, which began in 1946 as the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra with just 27 unpaid players, has grown into a fully professional orchestra of more than 70 musicians under Orth's leadership. The organization serves a population of approximately 450,000 citizens across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, operating alongside the 75-member Voices of the Mountains chorus, 18-performer Summit Chamber Singers and two robust Youth Orchestras.
“Paths to Dignity” Community Collaboration Summary
Symphony of the Mountains launched “Paths to Dignity,” a powerful community collaboration featuring the Kruger Brothers that brought together musicians, community organizations, businesses and members of the region’s unsheltered population through the transformative power of music.?
Symphony of the Mountains started this project three years ago and the organization has been present in shelters, encampments and a variety of places that help multiple times each year. In addition, unsheltered friends and people who helped were invited to come to symphony concerts for free. Symphony of the Mountains hosted two symposiums featuring social work leaders and unsheltered individuals who discussed a variety of issues regarding the unsheltered community. Meals were provided at each event.
Inspired by a vision to ensure every voice is heard, Symphony of the Mountains set out to create a choir that included individuals experiencing homelessness, giving participants the opportunity to share their stories through song while performing alongside the Symphony’s resident choir, Voices of the Mountains.?
Symphony of the Mountains staff identified and collaborated with 16 agencies throughout the Tri-Cities region who support the unsheltered. Throughout the year, the Symphony provided ensembles which performed at eleven various locations and places for the unsheltered community. During these outreach concerts, the Symphony distributed flyers to invite these individuals to concerts (for free) and to be part of the “Paths to Dignity” choir. These visits not only introduced the “Paths to Dignity” project but also connected attendees with organizations that provided valuable local resources.?
Some of the organizations throughout the region with which Symphony of the Mountains partnered included: Shades of Grace United Methodist Church, Anchor of Hope, Munsey United Methodist Church (Melting Pot), The Table Bristol, Salvation Army of Kingsport, Grace House, The Table at the Corner Kingsport, First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport, First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City, Haven of Rest, Unity House, Salvation Army of Bristol, Salvation Army of Johnson City and AmeriCorps.
Additional partnerships with East Tennessee State University Street Medicine and Unity Housing of Johnson City expanded the project’s impact. Representatives from ETSU Street Medicine attended choir rehearsals, offering medical care, wellness support and referrals to participants who needed assistance, ensuring the project addressed both artistic participation and personal well-being.?
In addition, Symphony of the Mountains collaborated with Salvation Army and other organizations to organize and provide transportation for our unsheltered friends to the rehearsals and concert.
Through these collaborative efforts, Symphony of the Mountains welcomed 23?members of the unsheltered community into the choir, where they performed alongside Kruger Brothers and Voices of the Mountains in a moving and unforgettable concert experience.?
Thanks to the generous support of Food City, each participant received meals during both rehearsals and on the day of the performance, along with a gift card for future food purchases. Symphony of the Mountains also provided choir guests with branded reusable water bottles and complimentary tickets to shelter volunteers and members of the unsheltered community.?
The performance featured newly commissioned spoken texts written by renowned civil rights activist Si Kahn and performed by?actor Lee Eskey. Audience members also experienced the world premiere of “Here Is My Home,” a song composed especially for Symphony of the Mountains by?Jens Kruger of?Kruger Brothers?with text?by Si Kahn. The work was written specifically for the unsheltered participants and Voices of the Mountains to perform together with Kruger Brothers, serving as a moving testament to dignity, hope and belonging.?
“Paths to Dignity” demonstrates the power of collaboration, compassion and the arts to build meaningful connections across the community. By bringing together nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, local businesses and musicians, Symphony of the Mountains created an experience that extends far beyond a musical performance, reminding participants and audiences alike that every person has a story worth hearing and a voice worth celebrating.?
Now in its 80th season,Symphony of the Mountainsis dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the region through exceptional orchestral performances, innovative programming, education and community engagement. The organization brings musicians and audiences together through the transformative power of live music, creating meaningful experiences for the communities it serves. Symphony of the Mountains is dedicated to entertaining, educating and enriching regional audiences by uniting and uplifting the Appalachian Highlands through exceptional live music. MaestraOrth, who is in her 20th season, serves as the orchestra’s music director and conductor.
