Symphony of Northwest Arkansas

The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas is a non-profit professional orchestra in the Northwest region of Arkansas originally established as the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in 1954. The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas was founded with support from the University of Arkansas and private donors, and is currently in partnership with the Walton Arts Center. SoNA performs at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas and frequently collaborates with area musicians and ensembles, including the SoNA singers, University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum, and high school choirs in the area.

History

The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas was originally established as the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in 1954 as a non-profit organization located in Northwest Arkansas. As the population grew, especially in Northwest Arkansas, NASO attempted to keep up with the growth by continually improving the quality of their performances and reaching out to the community. Despite their ambition plans, NASO ran into financial troubles, and was eventually forced to cancel its final "Pictures" concert during the 2008 concert series due to lack of sufficient funding.[1] After two years of fundraising and restructuring, the orchestra debuted in 2011 with a new name, an energetic young conductor, Paul Haas, and a bright future.[2]

The symphony played sold out performances for the 2011 Christmas Pops concert and the 2012 performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.[3] Paul Hass will continue to conduct SoNA during the 2012-2013 concert series.

Conductors

1981 - 1997 - Carlton Woods

1999 - 2008 - Jeannine Wagar

2010–Present - Paul Haas[4]

References

  1. ↑ Northwest Arkansas Times, , Symphony of silence: North Arkansas Symphony, short of money, pulls plug on last concert of season, March 31, 2008
  2. ↑ Fayetteville Flyer, , The Symphony Returns to Northwest Arkansas on March 17, March 11, 2011
  3. ↑ The City Wire, , Enlightenment for the 21st century, April 15, 2012
  4. ↑ 3W Magazine, , Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Announces Paul Haas as Music Director August 25, 2010

External links

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