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IMAGINE NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, SET TO MUSIC


 

The people, the physical beauty, and cultural landmarks … there's no place like Northwest Arkansas. And no arts movement like the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO). Under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess, the APO performs large masterworks and pops concerts with a contemporary twist. 

And more. The APO collaborates with many other Arkansas arts organizations to present art in unexpected ways — often to unexpecting audiences. Claiming its name in 2010, the APO has been around since 2008. 

The APO has always featured largely local professional musicians, welcomed world-class guest soloists and — a point of pride — provided musical education opportunities for local youth.

ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND NEW


The APO reimagines classical works, often performing in surprising places. Sure, we do full orchestral works, but subsets of APO musicians are likely to pop up anywhere throughout Northwest Arkansas. 

Don't be too surprised to find a chamber quartet in a Fayetteville library with a spoken-word poet … some percussionists in a Rogers farmer's market with a troupe from the NWA Ballet Theatre … or a handful of APO woodwinds with beat-boxers and performers from TheatreSquared … in world-class Bentonville arts venues like the Momentary, the Amazeum or Crystal Bridges. Altogether, we present the best of Northwest Arkansas, Set to Music.

Events

Cultivating young minds and training musical muscles 


The APO features musicians from around the globe. And we've learned the most efficient way to bring new art to Northwest Arkansas, is to nurture local talent! So, the APO provides free musical education, empowering local youth and building our communal future. Programs like the Arkansas Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, school residencies, virtual learning (even before the pandemic) and Classical Kids Club are as much a part of the APO fabric as our latest performances.
Arts Education

MEET THE PEOPLE SETTING NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TO MUSIC

Jason Miller, APO Executive DirectorJason Miller
Executive Director
Steven Byess, APO Music/Artistic Director/ConductorSteven Byess
Music/Artistic Director/Conductor
ER-GENE KAHNG
Music Education Lead
Robin Sumpter, APYO Philharmonica ConductorRobin Sumpter
APYO Conductor
Kristen Young
APYO Conductor
Peter Hamby, APO Orchestra/Program ManagerPeter
Hamby
Orchestra/Program Manager
Richard Bobo, APO Orchestra LibrarianRICHARD BOBO
Orchestra Librarian

BOARD MEMBERS

CHAIR

 

Kim Strickland

Thaden School

VICE-CHAIR

 

Issac Cody

Walmart

SECRETARY

 

Michael Parks
Retail Reclamation

TREASURER

 

Terri Osborne
Walmart (Retired)

FINANCE CHAIR

 

Juan Carlos Segura

Walmart

Members At Large

Julie Stroud Flynn

Walmart

Enrique Acuña
Walmart

Er-Gene Kahng

University of Arkansas

Cynthia Cochran
SMT Grants

Jaclyn House

KNWA/FOX24

Michael Maloy

Thaden School