Why you should experience Nashville Symphony in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the heart of downtown Nashville, surrounded by the rhythm of live music and the hum of city energy, Nashville Symphony at Schermerhorn Symphony Center transforms Music City's beat into pure orchestral brilliance.
Opened in 2006, this neoclassical masterpiece is not just a concert hall; it's a celebration of sound, architecture, and artistry on par with the world's greatest venues. Inside, white marble columns and sweeping staircases welcome you into a grand yet intimate space designed to heighten every note. The main concert hall, Laura Turner Hall, stuns with its soaring ceilings, natural light filtering through skylights, and walls that seem to breathe with resonance. Unlike most symphony halls, its acoustic panels can be adjusted for each performance, a testament to Nashville's blend of tradition and innovation. Whether you're hearing the Nashville Symphony bring Mahler to life or witnessing a film score concert that merges classical performance with cinematic grandeur, every sound feels intentional, immersive, and magnetic. It's a different kind of Nashville experience, one that trades guitars for violins but keeps every ounce of the city's soul.
What you should know about Nashville Symphony.
Nashville Symphony has been shaping the city's cultural identity for over 75 years, but Schermerhorn Symphony Center elevated it to new heights, literally and figuratively.
Named after the orchestra's late conductor, Kenneth Schermerhorn, the center was built as a labor of love and artistic faith. The design draws inspiration from Europe's great concert halls, yet it carries a distinctly Southern warmth. The Laura Turner Concert Hall seats over 1,800 guests, and every inch was engineered to deliver world-class acoustics, no electronic amplification required. The space features Brazilian cherry wood floors, mahogany benches, and a retractable 30-ton acoustical canopy that adjusts the room's resonance to match the character of each performance. The hall's versatility allows for everything from symphonic concerts and choral masterpieces to jazz nights, pop collaborations, and community events. Few realize that below the hall lies an entire world of hidden craftsmanship: rehearsal studios, educational spaces, and archives that tell the story of Nashville's evolution from country capital to a world-class music city. The building's Martin Foundation Courtyard, an open-air garden modeled after European palaces, provides a tranquil retreat before or after performances. Since opening, the Nashville Symphony has earned 13 Grammy Awards, including recognition for its recordings of contemporary American composers, proof that innovation and tradition coexist beautifully here.
How to fold Nashville Symphony into your trip.
Experiencing Nashville Symphony at Schermerhorn Symphony Center is one of the most elegant and soul-stirring things to do in the city, a refined counterpoint to the honky-tonks of Broadway just steps away.
If possible, plan your visit around a Masterworks or Pops Series concert to hear the orchestra in full force. For something uniquely Nashville, check the schedule for crossover performances, the symphony often collaborates with country, rock, and pop legends, blending genres in true Music City fashion. Arrive early to explore the building's stunning architecture: the marble-clad grand lobby, ornate staircases, and floral motifs inspired by Tennessee's native iris. If you're visiting during the day, take a guided tour, which reveals fascinating details like the hall's seismic base isolation, a system that allows the building to “float” slightly, preserving acoustics during vibrations. Dress up for the evening, grab a pre-concert drink at the East Lobby Bar, and soak in the elegance that permeates every moment. After the performance, step outside into Bicentennial Park or the Riverfront, where Nashville's skyline glows softly against the Cumberland. The Schermerhorn isn't just a concert hall, it's a reminder that in a city built on sound, even the quiet between notes can be music.
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