Chattanooga Symphony & Opera

08/27/2026

Get your finger snaps ready because Opening Night: Westside Story & The American Groove is just 4 weeks away!

Sept 24, 2026 | 7:30pm | Memorial Auditorium

Program:
Duke Ellington | Black, Brown & Beige Suite
Johannes Brahms | Violin Concerto, Op. 77
Ben Van Winkle | Pura Musica
Leonard Bernstein | Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

08/26/2026

Rest in peace, Dolly Parton. Dolly’s impact on Tennessee and its communities is immeasurable. We join people here and around the world in mourning her loss. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who were touched by her extraordinary life and legacy.

08/21/2026

Auditions for the CSO Chorus for the 2026-2027 season will be held Monday, August 31, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN  37402.  Auditions will take place in the Sanctuary.

Please prepare two pieces of contrasting styles (i.e., aria, art song, Broadway, etc.), preferably one being in a foreign language.  An accompanist will be provided.  Please bring 2 copies of your music; 1 for the director and 1 for the accompanist.  The copies will be returned to you at the conclusion of the audition.  For time slots, please contact Mary Lynn Wilson at [email protected].  For more information about the CSO, please visit the website: chattanoogasymphony.org.

08/20/2026

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is excited to introduce several new musicians who auditioned in the spring of 2026. Be on the lookout for these new faces this season and please make them feel welcome!

Section Viola: Lucy Gelber & Christopher Lowry.
Section First Violin: JP Brien-Slack, Abigail Hoerner, & Skylar Kim.

Congratulations and welcome to all!

08/19/2026

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is excited to introduce our new Principal Cello, Kyle Johnson! Please make him feel welcome in the comments and when you meet him in person! 

“Kyle is a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and completed his Bachelor's at Carnegie Mellon University and his Master's at Indiana University. Recently, he served as principal cellist of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus (IN) Philharmonic. Additionally, he is an avid chamber musician and maintains an active freelancing schedule throughout the South and Midwest. He is excited to begin his first season with the Chattanooga Symphony and to get to know this beautiful city and its people!”

Congratulations and welcome, Kyle!

08/18/2026

🪈 The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is excited to introduce our new Principal Flute, Helen K. Freeman! Please make her feel welcome in the comments and when you meet her in person! 🎶

“Helen K. Freeman was recently appointed as Principal Flute of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and is excited to begin her time with the orchestra for the 2026-2027 season. An enthusiastic performer and collaborator, Helen has spent much of her professional career performing across the Western New York region and beyond. She maintains an active freelance career frequently appearing with ensembles including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, and The Syracuse Orchestra. Helen recently graduated with her BM from the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Bonita Boyd and Anne Harrow. During her time at school she performed extensively as a soloist and ensemble musician, most notably performing the Rouse Flute Concerto with the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra. Helen’s other mentors include Aaron Goldman and Troy Paolantonio. Helen was awarded an orchestral fellowship to the National Repertory Orchestra in the summers of 2025 and 2026, the former of which she performed as a featured soloist. The previous summer she attended the National Orchestral Institution + Festival as an orchestral fellow. When she isn’t playing flute, you might find Helen riding her bike or working on an embroidery project.”

Congratulations and welcome, Helen!

08/17/2026

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is excited to introduce our new Principal Clarinet, Ashley R. Leigh! Please make her feel welcome in the comments and when you meet her in person!

“Ashley R. Leigh joins the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera this year as Principal Clarinet. Previous to her appointment, Ashley was Principal Clarinet of the Palm Beach Symphony under the direction of Gerard Schwarz. Additionally, she started her orchestral career with the Naples Philharmonic where she served as Assistant Principal, Second, and Eb Clarinet. Ashley has performed with the Florida Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, the National Orchestral Institute, the Round Top Festival Institute, Musica Riva Festival, and the Tanglewood Festival. She has served as clarinet faculty at the MasterWorks Festival since 2023.

Ashley was awarded the grand prize by Stanley Drucker at the 2006 Buffet-Crampon Young Artist Solo Clarinet Competition in New York. As a soloist, she has performed with the Irving Symphony, the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, and the MasterWorks Festival Orchestra.
Ashley holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she studied with Paul Garner. She spent a semester abroad in Paris, France, where she had the opportunity to study with her favorite clarinetist, Alessandro Carbonare. She has also completed additional graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Richard Hawley. Ashley is also a songwriter and producer. Under the artist name “Ashley Ruth.” Her first single “Leaning” has over a million streams on Spotify. She is grateful for this artistic outlet, and enjoys combining the Contemporary Christian Music genre with her experience in classical music.

Ashley’s husband, Dr. Jeff Leigh, is a violinist and composer. Together, they serve on staff with Crescendo North America. Additionally, they have three children and a labradoodle. The whole family is excited for the new move from Florida to Chattanooga, especially for the rock climbing and mountain biking!”

Congratulations and welcome, Ashley!

08/14/2026

Congratulations to CSO Music Director Ilya Ram on receiving a 2026 Career Assistance Award from The Solti Foundation U.S.

Ilya is one of just 16 young American conductors selected for this year’s awards, which recognize exceptional conductors and support them as they continue to build their careers on stages across the country and around the world.

We’re proud to see Ilya recognized among this outstanding group of artists and thrilled to have his leadership here in Chattanooga.

Please join us in congratulating Ilya on this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations to the 16 young American conductors announced as recipients of 2026 Career Assistance Awards by The Solti Foundation U.S. Board Chair Penny Van Horn and Artistic and Awards Committee Chair Elizabeth Buccheri.

Ms. Van Horn stated, “With this cohort of Career Assistance Awards, we go past 200 awards given out! The recipients of the 2026 Career Assistance Awards are an exciting and determined group, and similar to last year’s cohort, work with orchestras, opera companies, chamber orchestras, festivals, and educational organizations.

“On behalf of The Solti Foundation U.S., I am pleased to announce this year's awardees: Harris Han, Nathan Blair, Kamna Gupta, Andrew Kim, William Langley, Geoffrey Loff, Na'Zir McFadden, Brett Miller, Luke Poeppel, Tristan Rais-Sherman, Ilya Ram, Shira Samuels-Shragg, Nicholas Sharma, Euan Shields, Molly Turner, and Sunny Xia. Congratulations to you all!”

08/11/2026

🎶 Chorus Auditions 🗣️ 8/31/26

Auditions for the CSO Chorus for the 2026-2027 season will be held Monday, August 31, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Auditions will take place in the Sanctuary.

Please prepare two pieces of contrasting styles (i.e., aria, art song, Broadway, etc.), preferably one being in a foreign language. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring 2 copies of your music; 1 for the director and 1 for the accompanist. The copies will be returned to you at the conclusion of the audition.

Whether you’re a seasoned singer or ready to return to the stage, join us for a season filled with meaningful music, memorable performances, and the joy of singing together.

For additional information, and to register for a time slot, please contact Mary Lynn Wilson at [email protected].

08/10/2026

Perhaps! ✨ Love a bass queen and you can't deny that the piccolo is just so so cute 😍