Diana and Phil Brandon harmonize their shared love of music with a way to serve the community. As this year’s Opus Ball chairs, the Brandons are working to raise funds for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s music education programs.
“Music has always been a part of our relationship,” Diana says. “I play organ and piano, and Philip plays the flute. Coming home after college to build our lives, supporting the arts felt like a natural way to invest in the community.”
Diana’s role as the director of music and organist at Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock has given her a unique chance to hire and work with ASO musicians during Asbury’s worship services.
“What started as professional relationships has turned into real friendships and has given me a deeper understanding of the incredible talent and dedication these musicians bring to our city,” she says.
Phil, founder and head distiller of Rock Town Distillery, has also found a meaningful way to meld his passion for music with his passion for bringing people together at Rock Town. The Brandons’ weekend routine often includes a Sunday afternoon ASO concert followed by drinks with friends and orchestra members after the show.
“ASO has always been close to my heart. Supporting it felt natural because it’s a way to give back to the music that’s given me so much,” Phil says.
This year’s Opus Ball will again be held at The Capital Hotel in downtown Little Rock. The black tie event will include another perfect harmony: big band music and specialty cocktails from Rock Town.
“It’s always a beautiful night, and this year’s touches will make it even more special,” Phil says.
Yet, as always, the most crucial note about Opus are the ASO programs — and young musicians — it supports. Through its E. Lee Ronnel Music Academy, ASO offers youth chamber ensembles, a string academy, youth orchestras and summer camps, plus in-school concerts and initiatives.
“The ASO’s programs reach thousands of kids across the state, many in schools with little or no music instruction,” Diana says.
In addition to helping fund these educational opportunities, Opus helps make ASO’s programs accessible to all.
“Any kid that wants to sing or play music with us can,” CEO Christina Littlejohn says. “That’s what Opus goes to support, too, making sure we have scholarships. And, depending on the year, one third to one half of our kids in our current programs are on scholarships.”
Geoffrey Robson, ASO’s music director, sees another key way Opus builds the nonprofit’s overall trajectory.
“We really see growth in our education programs as an opportunity to grow the orchestra and grow the community of professional musicians that call Arkansas their home,” he says. “We’re raising money for the education programs, and that means, in the end, employment opportunities as well for professional musicians.”
Although, according to Littlejohn, ASO is “still completely dependent on Opus to continue our current youth programs,” gala proceeds have also allowed the use of a $1 million grant from Susie and Charles Morgan in creative ways, including helping add an intro to violin class and a children’s choir.
While the introduction class is an accessible way for students to explore the violin in an eight week course, the children’s choir will be ASO’s first vocal education program. Free in its first season, the choir will lend its voice to ASO’s rendition of “Carmina Burana” in 2026.
The expanding opportunities for children and youth mirror ASO’s growth since opening its new Stella Boyle Smith Music Center in September 2024.
“It’s just transformative,” Littlejohn says. “The youth orchestra sounds better because, when the kids come into this space, they feel like professionals, and so they want to practice and show up, and it inspires them to play better.”
In addition to ample practice space, the new center offers fresh ways for Arkansas musicians to learn and express themselves.
“Going into year two, we’re planning to get more use out of our recording studio, making it available to artists around the community for very reasonable rates,” Robson says. “Even as far as teaching music production and recording classes, it’s hard to find in-person instruction on music production.”
The new home has also allowed ASO to form stronger creative bonds within the community. Having its own space allowed a partnership with the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in October for the Music of the Movement program, as well as the ability to host UA Little Rock’s recitals while the school’s hall undergoes renovations.
“The new HQ has opened the door for more concerts, new programs and fresh ways to connect with music,” Phil says. “It’s been great to see ASO broaden its reach and welcome more people into the experience.”
And, according to Robson, that reach is much broader than most realize.
“It’s really important community-wide that we have a vibrant arts scene. That’s how businesses and companies attract employees,” he says. “We think it’s a vital part of the fabric of life.”
Opus Ball XLI, Benefitting the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Nov. 8, 6 p.m. | The Capital Hotel
Info: arkansassymphony.org/opus
PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS
HAIR & MAKEUP
LORI WENGER
ON DIANA:
CLOTHING
UNVEILED BRIDAL COLLECTION
JEWELRY
SISSY’S LOG CABIN
SHOES
BARBARA/JEAN