Symphony of the Mountains announces its milestone 80th Anniversary Season, “An American Tapestry: Saluting Our Legacy,” featuring a lineup of orchestral, choral, educational and community performances while introducing a new Pay What You Can ticketing model designed to make live symphonic music more accessible than ever before.
Celebrating eight decades of enriching the Appalachian Highlands through music, the 2026–2027 season also honors Music Director and Conductor Cornelia Laemmli Orth’s 20th season leading the orchestra.
This landmark season reflects the organization’s commitment to preserving its rich heritage while ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience the power of live orchestral performance.
For the first time in Symphony of the Mountains history, audiences are invited to attend performances through a Pay What You Can initiative.
Individual concert tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis with a suggested minimum contribution of $5 to help cover ticket processing fees. These tickets are general admission.
Season tickets, which include reserved seating, are available with a minimum contribution of $250.
Students with a valid photo ID may continue to attend performances free of charge.
“Our goal is simple: to remove financial barriers and ensure everyone in our region has the opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration of live orchestral music,” said Orth. “As we celebrate 80 years of serving the Appalachian Highlands, we want this season to truly belong to everyone.”
Following the summer tour, Symphony of the Mountains returns in October with Beethoven & Beginnings, a program that celebrates the orchestra’s early concerts while pairing them with timeless classical masterworks.
Throughout the year, audiences enjoy concerts celebrating America’s musical heritage, holiday traditions, inspiring choral works, educational performances for thousands of regional students and a special Homecoming Concert commemorating both the orchestra’s 80th anniversary and Americas 250th birthday.
The season concludes with Faith in Song and a special performance to be announced later this season, which will not be included in the Pay What You Can.
The 2026-2027 season features performances across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina, including Beethoven & Beginnings (Oct. 3 and 4), New World Rhapsody (Nov. 7), Freedom’s Song: Honoring All Who Served (Nov. 8 and 11), Holiday Concert: By the Fireside (Dec. 5 and 6), Tides of Time (Feb. 27), Hymns of Humanity (March 13), Wild Wonders of the Symphony educational concert tour (May 3-5), Faith in Song featuring Voices of the Mountains (May 15 and 16).
Founded in 1946 as the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Mountains has grown from a small community ensemble into the premier professional orchestra serving Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina and beyond. Eighty years later, the organization continues its mission of entertaining, educating and enriching the region through exceptional live music.
Season brochures are available, and tickets can be reserved by visiting MYSOTM.org, calling 423-392-8423, or stopping by the Symphony of the Mountains office in the Kingsport Renaissance Center located at, 1200 East Center St., Suite 311.
