About Aiken Civic Orchestra

Aiken Civic Orchestra began in 2012 with the vision of providing an ensemble experience to local musicians across the greater Aiken and Central Savannah River Area. It began as a volunteer string ensemble of 12 players. After 5 years of building a reputation among string players, ACO added winds, brass, and percussion to become a full, symphonic orchestra. In February of 2018, ACO became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. With an emphasis on featuring local talent, ACO performs about 12 programs a season with music ranging from popular to masterpieces and even contemporary works.

Our Mission

​Aiken Civic Orchestra provides an artistic home that engages musicians and audiences from the local communities through the performance of orchestral repertoire.

Our Director

Adam DePriest is a conductor and violinist from Aiken, SC with a BM and two MM degrees from the University of South Carolina where he studied violin under William Terwilliger and Neil Casey and studied conducting under Donald Portnoy. Mr. DePriest has received additional conducting training from Grant Cooper, Salvatore Di Vittorio, John Ferrer, Lawrence Golan, Peter Jaffe, Jorge Mester, Toshiyuki Shimada, Robert Spano, Edvard, Tchivzhel, and Neil Thompson.

Receiving his start at an early age, Mr. DePriest made his solo debut on the violin at the age of 12 with the Augusta Symphony and has continued to be a sought-after performer who is well-versed with many experiences ranging from ensemble leadership to solo appearances and recording studio sessions. Additionally, Mr. DePriest began studying double bass at the age of 16 and made his solo double bass debut with the Augusta Symphony at 18 years old. Mr. DePriest actively performs with several regional professional orchestras including SC Philharmonic Orchestra and Augusta Symphony.

As an advocate for string education, Mr. DePriest is a regular guest clinician for orchestra festivals in SC. He teaches private lessons and directs after school programs in Columbia and Aiken, SC as well as in Augusta, GA. Mr. DePriest is currently an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at USC Aiken where he oversees string-related studies, teaching applied lessons and string methods, directs ensembles, and teaches music appreciation. Making a local impact, Mr. DePriest helped to found, facilitate, and launch strings programs at Aiken Center for the Arts, Augusta Preparatory Day School, and Episcopal Day School (Augusta). Mr. DePriest has helped to coordinate educational outreach initiatives with Aiken Symphony Orchestra and the Joye in Aiken festival. During the pandemic of 2020, Mr. DePriest founded the Aiken Chamber Music Series as an effort to engage musicians and audiences in a creative way “beyond the podium”. In 2024, Mr. DePriest joined the faculty of Newberry College as orchestra director.

As an engaging conductor, Mr. DePriest has worked with ensembles for over 15 years. He consistently elevates these groups to achieve high levels of musicianship, sparking continued growth, motivation, and providing a visible community presence and source of pride. Mr. DePriest has worked with such guest artists as Rachel Barton Pine, John O’Conor, Awadagin Pratt, Petronel Malan, and others. In addition to directing the Newberry Chamber Orchestra, Mr. DePriest has served as director of Aiken Youth Orchestras and is the founder and director of Augusta Virtuosi and Aiken Civic Orchestra.

Our Community

Children’s Concerts

In collaboration with Carnegie Hall, Aiken Civic Orchestra once again participated in Link Up, a music education program provided by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI). This is done in partnership with Aiken and Edgefield County Public Schools to bring orchestral music to 4th grade students. Students have a chance to sing or play the recorder with the orchestra from their seats. This experience often serves as a students’ first orchestra concert and provides them with the opportunity to apply the musical concepts they have studied through the nationally distributed curriculum. The performances are also open to interested families with students not enrolled in Aiken or Edgefield County Public Schools.

Aiken Civic Orchestra is one of over 100 national and international organizations chosen for this program. This year Aiken Civic Orchestra presented Link Up’s “The Orchestra Sings” program which explores the mystery, beauty, and the power of great melodies.

Side-by-side performances

Another way ACO engages with area students is through a side-by-side experience where young performers have a chance to sit alongside ACO musicians in rehearsals and a concert.

Student musicians

Some of the best area high school students are invited to actively participate in the orchestra throughout the rest of the season. In addition to talented high school students, ACO also partners with the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at USC Aiken to offer college string students an orchestral opportunity to count as ensemble credit as an independent study course.

Youth Concerto Competition

ACO also sponsors an annual youth concerto competition open to young performers. The winners of this competition enjoy the opportunity of performing with the orchestra.

More engagement

ACO musicians teach many students throughout the CSRA–many of whom are associated with Carolina Academy of Music. Music Director Adam DePriest also directs the Aiken Youth Orchestras, who have been featured in the past as part of pre-concert entertainment. ACO also sponsors workshops, bringing guest teachers to the area, often through masterclasses of visiting musicians.