Since its inception, SoNA has brought live music and arts integrated education programs to countless students throughout Northwest Arkansas. In hopes of fostering the next generation of musicians and audience, we continue to focus on increased access to live music through open rehearsals, discounted and free tickets to concerts, our in-school SoNA Mentors program, and family and youth-focused concerts and events.

SoNA Mentors

SoNA supports local students and music teachers through SoNA Mentors, a program serving wind band and orchestra programs across Northwest Arkansas, including Bentonville, Springdale, Fayetteville, and Rogers. Through SoNA Mentors, orchestra musicians provide performances, sectionals, masterclasses, pre-college career guidance, and more for emerging musicians. Rather than approaching schools with a pre-existing curriculum, SoNA Mentors collaborate with local music teachers and directors and support educators in whatever capacity is needed to help music students achieve their fullest potential. To have a SoNA Mentor come to your school, please contact Music Education Director Natalie Fernandez.

Mentors for the 24-25 school year

Strings:

Miho Oda Sakon - violin
Will Bush - violin
Diane Halliburton - violin
Andrew Chu - violin/viola
Michael Puryear - cello
Garrett Jones - bass

Free Youth Tickets

Thanks to generous support from the Baum Charitable Foundation Trust, a limited number of free tickets are available to anyone under 18 with the purchase of an adult ticket at each mainstage performance at the Walton Arts Center. Please call the Box Office at (479) 443-5600 for more information and to redeem tickets.

Outreach Concerts

Through outreach concerts, SoNA gives students in NWA the chance to see a live performance of a professional symphony orchestra for free, during the school day, among an audience made up of their peers. These performances have a specific theme and repertoire that is separate from the regular mainstage concert series of the orchestra. 

Upcoming Outreach Concerts
The next outreach concerts will take place:

– Friday, February 14th at the Walton Arts Center, starts at 10am

– Thursday, April 17th at the Walton Arts Center, starts at 10am

Program for these concerts to be determined.

Behind the Scenes

Students and accompanying parents and teachers are invited to look “Behind the Scenes” at a SoNA dress rehearsal! Hear Maestro Paul Haas rehearse with the musicians and get exclusive insights on what it takes to bring great music to life. Paul Haas will lead a post-rehearsal Q&A discussion to further allow students to learn more about the music and SoNA’s artistic process.