Orchestral Music in the Hills
Based in Morehead, the smallest city in Kentucky with a community-supported symphony orchestra, the Cave Run Symphony was founded in 2013.
It is a 60-piece musical ensemble comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians, music professors and teachers, and highly qualified, auditioned student musicians.
The Orchestra is operated by the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra Society, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501 ©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts to the CRSO are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The CRSO is funded by gifts, grants, sponsorships, program book advertising, branded merchandise marketing and ticket sales. We welcome support at any time of the year.
Bringing Orchestral Music to the Hills
Based in Morehead, the smallest city in Kentucky with a community-supported symphony orchestra, the Cave Run Symphony was founded in 2013.
It is a 60-piece musical ensemble comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians, music professors and teachers, and highly qualified, auditioned student musicians.
The Orchestra is operated by the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra Society, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501 ©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts to the CRSO are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The CRSO is funded by gifts, grants, sponsorships, program book advertising, branded merchandise marketing and ticket sales. We welcome support at any time of the year.
Symphony’s Feb. 22 concert to feature second guest conductor in search tryout
The inclusive search for a new principal conductor of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra resumes this month at the third concert with Dr. Joshua Shepherd of Nashville, Tenn., the second finalist, serving as guest conductor.
The search has been paused since the opening concert on Oct. 26 but will resume Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. in the Morehead Conference Center with the theme of “Tutu Terrific.”
Like his predecessor, Shepherd’s conducting will be evaluated by audience members and orchestra musicians in the same manner as the opening concert. That innovative approach apparently was well received.
“We were very pleased with the number of audience members and musicians who responded to our evaluation forms after the opening concert,” said Dr. Lori Baruth, search committee chair. “Demonstrated expertise is a critical factor in our search.”
Baruth is principal clarinet for the Cave Run Symphony and serves as chair of its Artistic Advisory Committee, which is responsible for orchestra programming and music personnel.
Shepherd is a three-time national finalist for The American Prize in Conducting and has two decades of experience in both the classical and commercial music industry as violinist, violist, singer, and conductor.
He is music director and conductor of The People’s Orchestra of Nashville, an ensemble he founded in 2020 that has established a reputation for artistic excellence, collaboration, and community impact.
His detailed biography appears on caverunsymphony.org,
Adult tickets for the Feb. 22 concerts are $18 and can be purchased online at caverunsymphony.org, or at the door or at the Morehead Visitor Center. Students and other children are admitted free of charge.
Ticket questions should be directed to the Orchestra’s telephone message line at 784-9894 or by e-mail to caverunsymphony@gmail.com.
Evaluation forms will be distributed to the audience and orchestra members during Shepherd’s pre-concert comments and will be collected after the concert or submitted online within 24 hours.
The inclusive search for a new principal conductor of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra resumes this month at the third concert with Dr. Joshua Shepherd of Nashville, Tenn., the second finalist, serving as guest conductor.
The search has been paused since the opening concert on Oct. 26 but will resume Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. in the Morehead Conference Center with the theme of “Tutu Terrific.”
Like his predecessor, Shepherd’s conducting will be evaluated by audience members and orchestra musicians in the same manner as the opening concert. That innovative approach apparently was well received.
“We were very pleased with the number of audience members and musicians who responded to our evaluation forms after the opening concert,” said Dr. Lori Baruth, search committee chair. “Demonstrated expertise is a critical factor in our search.”
Baruth is principal clarinet for the Cave Run Symphony and serves as chair of its Artistic Advisory Committee, which is responsible for orchestra programming and music personnel.
Shepherd is a three-time national finalist for The American Prize in Conducting and has two decades of experience in both the classical and commercial music industry as violinist, violist, singer, and conductor.
He is music director and conductor of The People’s Orchestra of Nashville, an ensemble he founded in 2020 that has established a reputation for artistic excellence, collaboration, and community impact.
His detailed biography appears on caverunsymphony.org,
Adult tickets for the Feb. 22 concerts are $18 and can be purchased online at caverunsymphony.org, or at the door or at the Morehead Visitor Center. Students and other children are admitted free of charge.
Ticket questions should be directed to the Orchestra’s telephone message line at 784-9894 or by e-mail to caverunsymphony@gmail.com.
Evaluation forms will be distributed to the audience and orchestra members during Shepherd’s pre-concert comments and will be collected after the concert or submitted online within 24 hours.
Join us for the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 Season!
