Symphony of Northwest Arkansas

The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is a distinguished musical organization that has been a cornerstone of the cultural landscape in Northwest Arkansas since its inception. Originally founded as the North Arkansas Symphony (NASO) in 1954, SoNA has a storied history of over 60 years in delivering musical performances and educational opportunities to the region. As a resident company of the Walton Arts Center, SoNA presents a variety of classical and pops performances throughout Northwest Arkansas, attracting an annual combined audience of approximately 25,000 individuals. SoNA's mission is to bring great music to life in Northwest Arkansas, and it is driven by a vision to be recognized as a trailblazing orchestra. The organization is committed to expanding the possibilities of what an orchestra can be and to changing lives by increasing interest and equity in the arts through outreach, education, collaboration, and performance. SoNA prides itself on creatively honoring the past, present, and future of the art form while fostering the highest levels of artistic expression. The organization holds inclusivity and equity as core values, centering anti-racism and anti-oppression to ensure a welcoming environment where the entire community can meaningfully engage with music. SoNA celebrates commonality and embraces differences, aiming to provide accessible experiences that are culturally relevant and representative of the diverse Northwest Arkansas community. Throughout its history, SoNA has engaged in partnerships and made selected appearances at various venues and events, including Crystal Bridges, the Momentary, 214 CACHE, Art on the Creeks, the Bentonville Film Festival, Butterfield Trail Village, Cross Church, Community Creative Center, Fayetteville Public Library, Fayetteville Roots Festival, John Brown University, the Jones Center, Mercy Health Foundation, Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, Springdale Public Library, TheatreSquared, Trike Theatre, the University of Arkansas, Walton Arts Center, the Walmart AMP, and the Walmart Museum. In addition to its mainstage performances, SoNA has initiated SoNA Beyond, a program that extends the symphony's reach through creative and inclusive concert experiences, from small pop-up community events to large-scale collaborations with arts partners like Crystal Bridges. The organization is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists, civic-minded leaders, and audiences. Programs such as SoNA Mentors, educational concerts, and the free tickets for youth initiative serve over 1,000 students each year. As a non-profit entity, SoNA relies on philanthropic support from foundations, businesses, and individuals. This includes generous multi-year pledges from donors to establish an endowment for the organization's long-term sustainability. The governance of SoNA is overseen by an active Board of Directors and Advisors, comprising community leaders from across Northwest Arkansas. SoNA's administrative offices are located at 217 E. Dickson Street, Suite 106, Fayetteville, AR 72701, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 1243, Fayetteville, AR 72702. The organization continues to be a vital contributor to the arts and culture of the region, guided by the leadership of its Music Director, Paul Haas, and supported by an advisory board and board of directors.