This is music to our ears. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will soon begin its return season spanning from fall 2021 to spring 2022, and it’s getting the party started early with a free show.
Titled “Celebrate Little Rock, Together,” the show will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Robinson Center. The program will give audiences a taste of the upcoming season while “celebrating the community’s diverse musical traditions,” including Little Rock’s own pioneering composer Florence Price, selections from Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” and the music of Aretha Franklin sung by Genine LaTrice Perez.
“We are delighted we found ways to perform for our patrons virtually and in innovative ways during the past year. Now we are ready to play for an audience,” ASO CEO Christina Littlejohn says. “This concert is designed for us to have fun and recognize our community’s own talent.”
The ASO also made recent announcements concerning health and safety protocols: all attendees must wear masks and show proof of vaccination. For those unable to get the vaccine, performances of the ASO’s Masterworks series will be available to virtual audiences as well.
“We are thrilled to share the upcoming 2021–2022 season with our community … but recognizing the current surge in cases, we want to ensure we are doing so responsibly and prioritizing the health and safety of our audiences, performers and symphony staff,” Littlejohn says. “We consider the Robinson Center to be our home and want our guests to be able to celebrate this music together safely.”
Tickets for “Celebrate Little Rock, Together” will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 a.m. on Sept. 2 on the steps of the Robinson Center.
For more information, visit the ASO website and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.