Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has announced that it will perform all six Masterworks concerts for the 2021–2022 season for both in-person and virtual audiences. Live performances at the Robinson Center will be recorded in high-quality audio with multiple cameras for an engaging, virtual experience and then made available to all ticket holders on the Saturday following the concert weekend. In-person concerts will continue as scheduled.
“We know that many of our patrons want the option to once again enjoy a safe, in person evening with the symphony, but also appreciate the flexibility to have that experience in the safety of their own home right now. We are thrilled to be able to offer both of those incredible experiences to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy an evening with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra,” said ASO CEO Christina Littlejohn. “It was exciting to innovate over this past year at ASO and perform virtually for our patrons. Now we’re taking those lessons with us as we move forward to build a stronger and more accessible Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for the future.”
All ASO season ticket holders, members and single ticket holders will receive complimentary access to the virtual Masterworks concerts for one month. The virtual concerts will become available for single ticket purchases beginning on September 7. The 2021–2022 season Masterworks concert season includes:
- The Firebird, Oct. 2–3
- Beethoven & Blue Jeans, Nov. 6–7
- Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, Jan. 29–30
- Gil Shaham Plays Barber’s Violin Concerto, Feb. 26–27
- Mozart & Strauss, April 9–10
- New World Symphony, May 14–15
As the 2021—2022 concert season approaches, ASO continues to closely monitor the evolving situation related to COVID-19 and related variants impacting our communities. ASO musicians must provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative test before participating in the concert. The Robinson Center has also installed a new, state-of-the-art air filtration system and new hand washing and sanitizing stations in the venue. The City of Little Rock and the Robinson Center require both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks while on public property. To ensure the safety of our patrons, musicians and staff, ASO will strictly adhere to this requirement as well as guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arkansas Department of Health.
About Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 56th full season in 2021-2022. ASO is the resident orchestra of Robinson Center Music Hall. They perform more than sixty concerts each year for more than 165,000 people through its Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series, Acxiom Pops Live! Series, River Rhapsodies Chamber Music Series, and numerous concerts performed around the state of Arkansas, in addition to serving central Arkansas through numerous community outreach programs and bringing live symphonic music education to over 26,000 school children and over 200 schools. ASO’s education programs include the Sturgis Music Academy, which provides violin and cello instruction to more than 350 students, and the ASO Youth Ensembles Program, which has nearly 200 students enrolled in two full orchestras and a strings-only ensemble. ASO employs 12 full-time musicians, more than 70 part-time musicians and 15 administrative staff members with an annual operating budget of $3.5 million. Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is a member of the League of American Orchestras and a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support, an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras.
For more information about the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra call 501-666-1761 or visit www.ArkansasSymphony.org. Program notes, artist bios and high-resolution headshots available upon request.
