Although the September opening of the 2025-26 Knoxville Symphony Orchestra season is still more than two months off, those in need of a symphonic fix can take in this Friday’s Annual Independence Day Concert at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater. This year’s concert is the 41st by the KSO in the series, this year featuring patriotic classics, marches by John Philip Sousa, selections from iconic American cinema and Broadway, and selections featuring local artist and musician W. James Taylor. This concert is part of the City of Knoxville’s Festival on the Fourth.
The free July 4 concert, conducted by KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian, begins at 8:00 PM and will also be broadcast live on WBIR-TV. The show ends with the oohs and aahs of the fireworks display set to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and popular marches.
“July 4th is always a special day for Knoxville to come together and celebrate, and we’re very excited to be back in the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater, one of Knoxville’s most distinctive performance venues,” Demirjian said. “For me, this concert is a celebration of our country as well as our community, which is one of the many reasons I am so happy to be collaborating with W. James Taylor, one of Knoxville’s most unique and distinguished artists.”
In cases of light rain, the concert will take place as scheduled. In cases of thunderstorms, the concert will be postponed.
