ARTS & CULTURE
Text and photos courtesy of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
Modern Mythology
SoNA Celebrates the Music of John Williams
From distant galaxies to a monster shark lurking beneath the waves, some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments are inseparable from the music of John Williams. On Nov. 8, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas celebrates the legendary American composer with Modern Mythology: The Music of John Williams, a special matinee performance at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.
Guest conductor Chelsea Tipton leads SoNA on a journey through music that has helped define generations of film and television. The program will feature selections from some of Williams’ most iconic scores, including Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Star Wars, alongside the deeply moving music of Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan and more.
The November concert follows SoNA’s Oct. 3 season opener, Rites of Renewal: The Firebird, which marks Akiko Fujimoto’s first performance as SoNA’s newly appointed music director. Featuring music by Berlioz, Copland, Saint-Saëns and Stravinsky, the opening concert launches a new era for the orchestra under Fujimoto’s baton.
Following Modern Mythology, the holidays bring the return of two audience favorites. On Dec. 12, guest conductor Creston Herron leads two performances of A Very SoNA Christmas, featuring SoNA musicians, the SoNA Singers and special guest soloists in a joyful program of holiday favorites. The following afternoon, SoNA assistant conductor Sarah Pearson leads The Snowman: A Family Concert, pairing the beloved animated film with its enchanting orchestral soundtrack performed live.
The season continues Feb. 21, 2027, with Fate & Triumph: Beethoven’s Fifth. Van Cliburn International Piano Competition medalist Sean Chen joins SoNA for Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, before Fujimoto and the orchestra perform Beethoven’s iconic Symphony No. 5.
SoNA closes the season April 10 with Eternal City: Pines of Rome, featuring works inspired by nature and place, including Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending with SoNA concertmaster Winona Fifield and Respighi’s spectacular Pines of Rome.
All performances take place in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall. Single tickets start at $42. Sampler subscriptions start at $114 and allow patrons to choose three or four MainStage performances at a reduced cost. Children under age 18 receive free admission with a paid adult ticket, subject to limited availability. Tickets for The Snowman are $10.
