Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Announces 2025-26 “SoNA Beyond” Music Series
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (October 8, 2025) — The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) proudly announces the continuation of its fifth annual SoNA Beyond music series, with nine additional free or low-cost performances across Northwest Arkansas produced with community partners and organizations set to take place through June 2026.
Sponsored by the Walmart Foundation and with additional support provided by other generous donors, this series goes beyond the concert hall and into the community with small ensembles performing innovative programs designed to be inclusive and welcoming for all. Not simply a chamber music series, SoNA Beyond concerts are unique live music experiences built on distinctive programming and special partnerships with other community organizations.
The 2025-26 SoNA Beyond series officially kicked off this past July with two performances of SoNA Beyond: Sorcerer’s Apprentice at the Siloam Springs and Bella Vista Public Libraries – and resumes this month with two new shows in October.
"As our region continues to expand and evolve, it is more important than ever that we engage with our community in the shared spaces of Northwest Arkansas,” says Ben Harris, SoNA Executive Director. "The SoNA Beyond series is designed to break down traditional barriers of classical music and create memorable musical experiences for everyone.”
On Saturday, October 11, 10am, the series picks back up with SoNA Beyond: The Planets at the Fayetteville Public Library. Go on a planet-hopping adventure and enjoy a children’s book reading accompanied by an ensemble of SoNA musicians performing a new arrangement of “The Planets” by Gustav Holst. Arranged by SoNA bassoonist Richard Bobo for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin and cello, come celebrate the thrill of live music and storytelling with this free family-friendly event!
Then on Sunday, October 19, 2pm and 4pm, SoNA musicians will again visit western Washington County for two already sold-out performances by the Sequoyah Strings quartet in Historic Cane Hill. Both performances will take place in the 1891 Presbyterian Church, which was restored in 2018. The quartet will perform a specially curated program of music with Arkansas connections by Florence Price, William Grant Still, and more. Performers include: Miho Sakon, violin; Andrew Chu, violin; Grace Clark, viola; and Michael Puryear, cello. Presented in partnership with Historic Cane Hill, this performance is made possible through additional support provided by Greenwood Gearhart Inc and the Arkansas Arts Council.
After the Sequoyah Strings, the SoNA Beyond series continues with more performances of The Planets on Saturday, November 22, 10:30am, at the Springdale Public Library; on Saturday, March 14, 11am, at the Bentonville Public Library; and on Saturday, April 25, 10am, at the Rogers Public Library. All dates are free and open to the public.
Also in April, on Friday, April 3, 7pm, SoNA Beyond will return to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville with a string ensemble performance of American music to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Titled Declaration and curated by SoNA violist Jesse Collett, the program’s repertoire will feature American composers and patriotic classics. This will be a ticketed performance, with ticket prices and on-sale date to be announced soon at sonamusic.org.
On Sunday, May 3, 2pm, SoNA and the Fayetteville Public Library team up with the University of Arkansas Program in Creative Writing & Translation for the return of SoNA Beyond: Transcending Words – a free concert at the library celebrating sung and spoken poetry. Featuring the SoNA Singers, directed by choral conductor Terry Hicks, the group will perform beautiful choral works while UA poets share the original poetry that inspired the music. Through this event, SoNA celebrates the transcendent ability of the written word, as well as the ability of music to transform words by providing color, context and emotion.
On Sunday, May 17, 2pm, the series continues with SoNA Beyond: Tone Painting, also at the Fayetteville Public Library. SoNA is proud to once again partner with the library and Arts One Presents for this free concert experience exploring the connection between music and visual art. This year, the music will feature a percussion trio, including works curated by SoNA percussionist Fernando Valencia, while local visual artists create new works in real-time inspired by the sounds they are hearing.
Closing out the 2025-26 SoNA Beyond series on Sunday, June 14, 5pm, SoNA musicians return to connect with nature at the beautiful Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, this time for SoNA Beyond: South Winds – a delightful evening performance featuring the South Winds Flute Quartet. Curated by SoNA flutist Ginny Hudson, join us for a unique program in one of Northwest Arkansas’ most beautiful settings. This performance is made possible through additional support provided by the North Arkansas Symphony Guild.
Additional SoNA Beyond events and appearances may be announced as the season progresses. To learn more about the SoNA Beyond music series, visit sonamusic.org/sona-beyond.
To learn about SoNA’s 2025-26 MainStage Season spanning through March 2026 at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, visit sonamusic.org, or call the Walton Arts Center box office at (479) 443-5600.
