A Dialog Across Musical Dialects: KSO premieres concerto for African Drums and Orchestra

WUOT | By Matthew Motley

Published May 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM EDT

Matthew Motley speaks with composer Derrick Skye, conductor Aram Demirjian, and Drummer Obayana Ajanaku about the upcoming world premiere of Skye's concerto Between Suns.

On May 15 and 16th at 7:30 in the Tennessee Theatre the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will conclude its MoxCar Marketing & Communications Masterwork Series with a concert featuring the world premiere of Derrick Skye’s concerto for African Drums Between Suns.

Rounding out the program are Florence Price's Colonial Dance and Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony.

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Music Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Matthew Motley

A Kansas native, Matthew began his journey south by attending the University of Georgia. It was here that he got his start in public radio, working on WUGA’s classical program Night Music. After graduating in 2024 with degrees in music and computer science, Matthew joined WUOT as host of the Afternoon Concert.

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