SoNA Announces New Senior Staff Position
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Promotes Ben Harris to General Manager
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (January 20, 2022) — The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is delighted to announce the creation of a new senior staff position and the promotion of longtime symphony team member Ben Harris to the role of General Manager of SoNA, effective this month.
A professional musician, educator, composer/arranger, producer, and booking agent, Ben Harris joined the SoNA family in 2012 as its Production Manager before transitioning to the Director of Operations & Annual Giving role, and now to SoNA General Manager.
As the General Manager of SoNA, Harris oversees planning and production of all orchestra performances and events, as well as educational outreach and community engagement. He also contributes to the overall organizational vision and manages philanthropic records and a portfolio of donors. The General Manager position plays a key role in ongoing interactions with various partners including the Walton Arts Center and other venues and organizational partners.
This appointment demonstrates Harris’ continued success in growing the effectiveness of SoNA’s operations over his long tenure with the organization. The appointment is also a strategic expansion in SoNA’s staff capacity. The organization has proven to be a stable, influential force for good in the community over the last 10 years, and is now beginning strategic planning with the aim of deepening its impact in Northwest Arkansas and beyond in the coming years.
“For a decade, Ben has been a steadying force for SoNA,” says D. Riley Nicholson, SoNA Executive Director. “He is the essential behind-the-scenes talent that makes our shows run smoothly and efficiently. This comes from not only a down-to-earth and hardworking sensibility, but also a deep understanding and passion for our artform. I am honored to call him my colleague, and am thrilled for what his promotion to General Manager means for SoNA – this new role reflects SoNA's ongoing growth and expanding potential.”
“I am proud to be a part of SoNA and to contribute to the impact this wonderful organization has on our community,” adds Harris. “As General Manager I am excited to further the vision of enriching the culture of Northwest Arkansas through the power and beauty of symphonic music, and to increasing access to music education. As SoNA continues its growth trajectory, this new role will help in our ability to take on more endeavors, positioning us for success as we look to an exciting future.”
A versatile guitarist originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Ben grew up studying blues, folk, and rock styles and later earned a BA in Music from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he studied jazz and classical guitar. After finishing his undergraduate work Ben spent many years in Little Rock teaching privately and performing in a variety of settings.
After a brief stint in New Orleans where he worked in the Jazz Studies department at the University of New Orleans, Harris relocated to Fayetteville where he earned a Master of Music degree in Composition in 2008. In addition to private teaching, he has also served as an Instructor of Music at Northwest Arkansas Community College, Northeastern State University, Benton County School of the Arts, University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Ben continues to perform locally and regionally alongside other musicians and as a solo acoustic guitarist. He has played with such notables as Bob Dorough, Michael Feinstein, John Oates, Kenny Washington, Lisa Henry, Bob Sheppard, Mike Steinel, Inga Swearingen, and Claire Holley. He has also performed as an opening act for a variety of well-known performers including B.B. King, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted Nugent, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Karla Bonoff, Missing Persons, Monte Montgomery, Marcia Ball, Tuck and Patti, Patrice Pike, and Eddie Money.
For additional information regarding SoNA senior staff and board leadership, click here.
About SoNA
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is the region’s leading professional orchestra. Under the musical direction of Maestro Paul Haas, SoNA presents dynamic and diverse symphonic performances to an audience of more than 20,000 people annually. In its 67th season, the nonprofit has led artistic and educational programming throughout Northwest Arkansas since 1954. SoNA is a resident company of Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Through its partnerships across the region, SoNA also frequently appears at locations such as the Walmart AMP, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, John Brown University, the University of Arkansas, the Bentonville Film Festival, and Fayetteville Roots Festival, at area schools and libraries, and other partner locations. For more information, visit sonamusic.org.