Photo: Courtesy, SoNA
After a year of virtual, hybrid, and outdoor performances, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) will return to in-person performances at the Walton Arts Center for the 2021-22 season.
The season begins Friday, Nov. 5 with a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto featuring principal clarinetist, Trevor Stewart, paired with Beethoven’s Third Symphony, the Eroica.
SoNA Executive Director D. Riley Nicholson said Northwest Arkansas audiences can expect “a dynamic musical lineup spanning the globe this season, with a rich, varied repertoire and exceptional solo artists.” Performers include SoNA’s principal clarinetist Trevor Stewart, Canadian pianist and composer Heather Schmidt, and international tabla maestro Sandeep Das.
“We’re delighted to welcome our community back to the concert hall to celebrate great symphonic music together,” Nicholson said. “Our new season offers an expansive view of music, with classics from the past, new innovative voices of today, and music from many different corners of the globe.”
After the opening performance in November, SoNA’s lineup will continue with their annual holiday tradition; performances of A Very SoNA Christmas and The Snowman: A Family Concert in December.
In January, SoNA will follow up with a performance pianist and composer Schmidt for her Arkansas premiere of Phoenix Ascending and Sibelius’ Second Symphony.
The February show will include the Arkansas premier of tabla virtuoso Das’ performance of Dinuk Wijeratne’s Tabla Concerto — along with Grazyna Bacewicz’s Overture for Orchestra and Schumann’s Second Symphony.
SoNA will conclude their season in April with a finale show featuring Mahler’s Sixth Symphony.
After a challenging year due to the pandemic which lead the symphony to totally reimagine last year’s season, the symphony is glad to be returning to the Walton Arts Center this year.
“After a successful Reimagined Season, we’re returning full force to the mainstage – but our return is more impactful than simply hitting the ‘un-pause’ button,” Nicholson said. “As always, SoNA’s mission is to present great music in Northwest Arkansas. Now, we’re returning with new perspectives, new skills, and a renewed passion for our mission.”
Season subscriptions are now on sale, and range from $161-$260. Single tickets go on sale this month as well, and range from $35-57 for the five mainstage shows. Tickets to The Snowman: A Family Concert are just $10.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit sonamusic.org.
