OUR HISTORY
Enriching and inspiring audiences through the power of live orchestral music for 65 years.
Nestled in West Tennessee between Memphis and Nashville is Jackson—home of The Jackson Symphony. Jackson is a city that’s unique, vibrant, offers high value living and is making its mark on the world, and The Jackson Symphony has anchored the region’s performing arts for 65 years. What began as a small community orchestra in 1961 has developed into a professional symphony, employing 65-70 musicians from throughout the southeast. The orchestra’s season includes a seven concert subscription series, encompassing three symphonic presentations, three Pops performances, and one film concert. In addition, the annual free community concert, Starlight Symphony, draws more than 5000 each season, has been beloved for 44 years, and was recently named the city’s “Best Annual Event” for 2024.
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As the only arts organization in the region designated a “Major Cultural Institution” by the Tennessee Arts Commission, The Jackson Symphony has experienced year over year audience growth performing for over 35,000 annually. The Jackson Symphony has more than doubled its size in the last six years moving from a Level 8 to Level 5 orchestra with The League of American Orchestras.
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The Jackson Symphony is strongly committed to offering a robust array of classical and Pops entertainment options for its audiences. This past season the orchestra performed its first live film concert, Disney’s Hocus Pocus In Concert Live To Film, to a sold-out venue. The orchestra has not shied away from contemporary programming, including commissioning new works. Highlights from recent seasons include guest artists such as violinist Elmar Oliveira, tenor Anthony Kearns, soprano Tara Erraught, cellist Konstantin Heidrich, and double bass player Joseph Conyers.
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The Jackson Symphony was founded in 1961 by a group of leading citizens to bring classical music to the city of Jackson and surrounding communities. The orchestra's first Music Director was James Petty, a high school music teacher. Mr. Petty remained as conductor of the orchestra through the 1986 season when Dr. Jordan Tang was appointed to the post of Music Director and Conductor. Under the leadership of Dr. Tang, The Jackson Symphony became the leading cultural organization in Jackson and West Tennessee.
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In the 2014–2015 season, Peter Shannon became the third Music Director and Conductor for The Jackson Symphony. Shannon’s artistic leadership with the professional musicians of the Symphony created a musical ensemble of unparalleled excellence. Under his direction, the Symphony launched an integrative medicine program, Music and Healing, which has provided thousands of patients, caregivers, and medical personnel with the therapeutic power of music. After a decade of transformative leadership, Shannon stepped down at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season. An international search, led by search committee chair and long-time Symphony supporter, Dr. Patrick Teer, is currently coming to an end, and a new music director is expected to be publicly announced soon.
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Throughout its history, the Symphony has demonstrated a strong commitment to educational programming. Thousands of students have been introduced to classical music and the orchestra through entertaining and educational school concerts. The Symphony's youth music programs have helped students increase confidence, build leadership and teamwork skills, and cultivate creative expression.
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The Camerata Youth Orchestra was founded in 1989 to provide outstanding performance opportunities to intermediate and advanced level students. In the fall of 1999, the group expanded to become the full youth orchestra and was renamed The Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra. In February 1998, Sinfonia Strings was organized to provide beginning string players with their first ensemble experience, and soon grew to include Camerata Strings. In 2023, all of these ensembles were incorporated into The Jackson Symphony Music Academy (JSMA), which preserves beloved programming while expanding education, rehearsal, and performance opportunities for underserved students throughout West Tennessee.
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In the 2023–24 season, The Jackson Symphony Music Academy opened seven Regional Music Centers across rural West Tennessee. Students in these centers receive professional instrumental and vocal instruction in their own communities at no cost and perform two concerts annually with the full Music Academy's orchestras and choirs. The first full Music Academy concert was held in April 2024 and featured more than 200 students, and by the following year, more than 350 students were enrolled in JSMA programming. The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded The Jackson Symphony two prestigious Challenge America grants for expanding orchestral music opportunities to students in the region.
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The Jackson Symphony is governed by a 30-member board of directors and is supported by a ten-member professional staff. The Jackson Symphony League comprises more than 150 volunteer members who support the orchestra through fundraising, special events, and educational activities while increasing visibility throughout the community. The Jackson Symphony operates debt free with a balanced budget. The operating budget for 2025-26 is $1.75 million, with a newly established endowment that currently tops a half million dollars. With only three conductors/music directors over its history, The Jackson Symphony is recognized as a foundational and leading cultural organization throughout the region.