The Oak Ridge Synphony Orchestra was founded in 1944 by a group of avocational musicians to bring music arts to their newly formed community. The present 60+ member Orchestra is composed of approximately 40% avocational and 60% professional musicians who present five concerts each year, either as orchestral concerts or with the Oak Ridge Chorus. Many of the professional musicians are also part of the Knoxville Symphony and various collegiate programs in Easy Tennessee. The Orchestra is often joined by renowned soloists such as Isaac Stern. Usually the "Concert Series" is augmented each year by including special orchestral and featured soloist events.

Delightful spin-offs from the orchestra include the "Coffee Concerts" that showcase local musicians; string quartets and other featured players at specific civic and corporate events; and the always popular musical outreach to the school musical activities in the area. Small groups of instrumentalists, together with the conductor, visit the elementary, junior and high school band programs to aquaint the youngsters with the various instruments they may wish to learn to play.

The Chorus was also formed in the 1940s to provide musical entertainment to the citizens of this area. the size of the Chorus varies from 40 to 100 members, depending on the production. Four section leaders are paid, but all other members participate as skilled avocational singers from various choirs and singing groups in the area. Many are music teachers. Often their ranks are swelled by guest soloists of national and international reputation. The repertoire of the Chorus ranges from the solemn Mass in b ninor by Bach to a rollicking tribute to East Tennessee music. Frequently area youth choruses and dancers join the Chorus in concert.

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association (ORCMA) was founded in 1948 to serve as the unbrella organization for the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and the Oak Ridge Chorus . ORCMA presents the musical events described above, often held in the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium, but also given in some of the large area churches. ORCMA sponsors a Chamber Concert Series, presented in the Pollard Auditorium on the campus of Oak Ridge Associated Universities. The Chamber Series of 5 events features internationally renowned trios, quartets and quintets.

ORCMA, Inc, functions to promote and present music and fine arts programs in the area, contracting with artists and their representatives to this end, making all necessary arrangements to present such programs, lectures, opera, orchestras, choral groups, and other activities classified as fine arts. ORCMA also operates to provide challenging, musically satisfying participatory opportunities for amateur musicians of sufficient training and for professional musicians of Oak Ridge and the surrounding area, through maintenance and support of a symphony orchestra, a chorus, and through presentation of quality programs and concerts by these and other musicians and music groups.

Read an article published in the Oak Ridger on October 13, 2000, with recollections from the Silverman's

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