Performing under the baton of Guest Conductor David Glover, and fresh on the heels of a stellar season kickoff last month, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) continues its 2025-26 MainStage season with Celebration in Motion: Beethoven 7 – a very special matinee performance at 2pm on Sunday, Nov. 2, at Walton Arts Center (495 W. Dickson St.) in Fayetteville.
SoNA guest conductor David Glover

With longtime Music Director Paul Haas concluding his tenure last spring, the orchestra is embarking on a bold new season of discovery featuring six different guest conductors – four of whom are finalists to become SoNA’s next artistic leader, including David Glover.

For Celebration in Motion, audiences are invited to celebrate the joy of motion and melody as Glover leads a thrilling lineup, beginning with William Grant Still’s spirited Festive Overture, followed by selections from Smetana’s epic Má Vlast, and Jessie Montgomery’s dazzling Starburst, before closing with Beethoven’s exhilarating Symphony No. 7.
“Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is a celebration of life in all its joys and sorrows,” Glover explains. “For this program, I’ve chosen to surround it with music that rejoices in movement and spirit through cultural traditions, the beauty of nature, and the pure joy of being human. Come celebrate through music with us!”

Ticket holders are also invited to arrive early at 1pm for a pre-show Creative Conversation with Guest Conductor David Glover, moderated by KUAF’s Kyle Kellams. Join us before the concert to hear insights into the evening’s program and exclusive details on the inspirations and lives of the artists who make the music come to life. This concert is generously sponsored by Highlands Oncology.

 

Following the November performance, the SoNA season continues in December with the return of two audience-favorites: SoNA celebrates the magic and beauty of the holidays with two performances (matinee and evening) of A Very SoNA Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 6 – a pops concert showcasing holiday classics, featuring the SoNA Singers and special guest soloists, conducted by SoNA’s friend and frequent collaborator Jack Cleghorn. And on Sunday, Dec. 7, The Snowman: A Family Concert features a special screening of the runaway hit film complete with live orchestral soundtrack, performed under the baton of SoNA Asst. Conductor Sarah Pearson.
And in 2026, the season resumes with Across the Silk Road: Scheherazade on Saturday, Jan. 31, guest conducted by Akiko Fujimoto and inspired by stories, landscapes, and legends from across Asia and the Middle East – featuring works by Mozart, and as the concert’s title suggests, Rimsky-Korsakov’s breathtaking Scheherazade. The season finale then arrives on Saturday, March 7 with Behind the Mask: Romeo and Juliet, guest conducted by Tamara Dworetz – a program that explores the drama and romance of masked identities, featuring works by Dvořák, Nielsen, Clyne, Khachaturian, and Prokofiev’s epic Romeo and Juliet.
Single ticket prices for SoNA’s MainStage performances range from $40 to $65, based on seating preferences. SoNA also offers a sampler subscription giving patrons the chance to save money while also securing the best possible seats at three or more of the season’s remaining concerts. Discount student tickets are also available with a student photo I.D, and children under 18 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket (limited quantities).
To purchase tickets, visit sonamusic.org, or call the Walton Arts Center box office at (479) 443-5600.
About SoNA
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is the region’s leading professional orchestra, presenting dynamic and diverse symphonic performances to an audience of more than 25,000 people annually. In its 71st 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, Ballet Arkansas, John Brown University, The Medium, at area schools and libraries, and other partner locations. For more information, visit sonamusic.org.
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