With its 59th season coming to a close in the coming weeks, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra has released the lineup for its 2025-2026 season. The announced shows are part of ASO’s three major concert series: the Stella Boyle Smith Trust Masterworks, First Orion Pops and River Rhapsodies.
Throughout the season, audiences can expect to see an exciting blend of classical masterworks, vibrant pop culture performances and intimate chamber experiences at ASO’s new Stella Boyle Smith Music Center.
“Our 60th season opens with romantic passion, with music of Strauss and Tchaikovsky,” ASO Music Director Geoffrey Robson says. “The Beethoven and Blue Jeans tradition continues with one of my favorite piano concertos, Beethoven’s 4th. That program is rounded out with a brand new commissioned work and two popular works by Mexican composers. I am thrilled that we are going to present a large-scale choral work for the first time since becoming music director — Carmina Burana!”
The season also sees the return of popular performances such as the annual “Home for the Holidays” show, a special “Star Wars” performance played with the movie and a repertoire of classic and contemporary pieces.
Without further ado, here’s the lineup for the 2025-2026 season:
Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks
Robinson Center
- Oct. 4-5: “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1” with pianist Joyce Yang
- Nov. 14-15: “Beethoven and Blue Jeans”
- Jan. 24-25: “Rebirth & Revolution”
- Feb. 28-March 1: “Carmina Burana”
- March 21-22: “Pictures at the Symphony”
- May 2-3: “Debussy, Haydn & Dvořák”
Click here for series details.
First Orion Pops
Robinson Center
- Oct. 18-19: “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi”
- Dec. 19-21: “Home for the Holidays”
- Feb. 14-15: “The Legacy of Quincy Jones”
- March 14-15: “Symphonic Sci-Fi” with guest conductor Herb Smith
- May 9-10: “The Three Broadway Divas” with vocalists Dee Roscioli, Alli Mauzey and Scarlett Strallen
Click here for series details.
River Rhapsodies
ASO Stella Boyle Smith Music Center
The full River Rhapsodies program has yet to be announced, but here are the dates to keep in your calendar.
- Oct. 7-8
- Nov. 18: Artist of Distinction – Orion Weiss
- Jan. 27-28
- Feb. 17-18
- March 24: Artist of Distinction – Julian Rhee
- April 21-22
Click here for series details.
Ticket sales are open now for season subscriptions and will open to the general public this summer.
For more information on the ASO’s upcoming season, tickets and community events, visit their website, and follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest.
Take a further look into ASO’s new music center: A Communal Crescendo for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
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