Aiken Civic Orchestra Changes Name to Aiken Philharmonic for 15th Season

The Aiken Philharmonic is marking its 15th anniversary. Previously the Aiken Civic Orchestra, this transformation arrives as the group prepares for its 2026-2027 season.

Music Director and Aiken native Adam DePriest founded the orchestra 15 years ago. The group is Aiken's hometown professional orchestra dedicated to bringing classical music to the CSRA.

The upcoming season will showcase violinist Vadim Gluzman, pianist Spencer Myer, and violinist David Kim. The orchestra will take part in Link Up, a music education program provided by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute.

The program partners with Aiken and Edgefield County public schools to bring orchestral music to fourth-grade students. Students will have a chance to sing or play the recorder with the orchestra from their seats.

The organization is one of over 100 national and international groups chosen for this program. The group also sponsors an annual youth concerto competition open to young performers.

The Classical Series will open with "A New Era Begins" at 7 p.m. on Sept. 3 at the Aiken High School Auditorium. Guest conductor Dr. Donald Portnoy will lead performances of Mikhail Glinka's Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla, Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto, and Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 8.

The Nutcracker will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Aiken High School Auditorium. Dancers from the Columbia Ballet School will join the orchestra for the production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's work.

Students can attend all regular concerts for free. Most concerts have a $40 admission fee. Premium events cost $115 per person.