ALL events are FREE and OPEN to the public.
EAST TENNESSEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HOSTS “AMERICA 250: FAITH AND FAMILY CELEBRATION” JULY 3 AT THE COMMONS PRESENTED BY MORNING POINTE SENIOR LIVING
A full day of star-spangled events include celebratory vendor market, food trucks, music and games leading up to an evening of patriotic and gospel music featuring three live performances.
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. — In celebration of our nation’s 250th Anniversary, the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra (ETSO) joins the Collegedale community in full patriotic spirit for the America 250: Faith and Family Celebration Friday, July 3, from Noon to 9 p.m. at The Commons (4950 Swinyar Dr. in Collegedale).
This full day of family-friendly activities begins with a festive market featuring food trucks, vendors, games and activities for all, courtesy of A5 Images & Events. Music begins at 6 p.m., featuring three live performances by The King’s Quire, Willie Kitchens and the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra.
Kinge’s Quire opens up for Hall of Fame Singer Willie Kitchens
The Kinge’s Quire is a choral ensemble devoted to the performance of early sacred music as well as modern music, and cathedral anthems and motets. The choir has been honored to perform by invitation for the Tennessee chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and at the ACDA Southern Division Convention. Firmly rooted in the Christian faith, The Kinge’s Quire seeks to glorify God through music.
Willie Kitchens Jr. is known as the lead singer of the Impressions — the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Group. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on January 6th, 1956, he was the only boy of six siblings and was raised in a musical-influenced family environment. His father, a musician in his own right, started Willie and his sisters performing in churches in and around Chattanooga when he was seven.
He graduated from Howard High School and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) as a Music Education student. Despite being recognized as one of Chattanooga’s highly sought-after musicians, singers, and performers, he decided to pursue his career as a writer, arranger, director, musician, and singer. This path led him to perform with some of the most well-known Gospel and R&B artists of all time.
He was named to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the Library of Congress as a History Maker in 2011 and the Beach Music Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was inducted into the Tri-City Southeastern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
This year’s America 250: Faith and Family Celebration is made possible by Morning Pointe Senior Living, the Collegedale Tomorrow Foundation, The Commons, and a host of community donors and friends.
This event is followed by the City of Collegedale’s Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4.
East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 20 Years of Symphonic Excellence
As Collegedale celebrates America, the ETSO shares a special milestone alongside our nation’s 250th anniversary, marking 20 years enriching the Tennessee Valley and Greater Chattanooga area through world-class symphonic music.
“We are honored to participate in our favorite, long standing, 20-year tradition as we celebrate patriotism and community as part of this once-in-a-lifetime event here in Collegedale,” says ETSO Executive Director Mathew Miller. “We look forward to performing for the local community, visitors and their families, as we showcase the beauty of small town America in a grand and meaningful way.”
ETSO has performed alongside a number of prolific bands and musical acts, to include: the Firework Finale during the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Hamilton County Fairs, its Christmas Concert with the Annie Moses Band for two years in a row, unforgettable performances with the Grammy award-winning musicians Ricky Skaggs and Harry Connick, Jr., and many more events with talented local and regional musicians.
