The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is pleased to announce its 2018-19 Season featuring six main stage concerts, an exciting repertoire spanning the globe, and a selection of guest soloists who are sure to delight.

Performed under the baton of acclaimed Music Director Paul Haas, SoNA’s new season begins on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, and will continue through Saturday, May 4, 2019Season subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale.

All six of the season’s mainstage concerts will be performed in Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center495 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. The season’s acclaimed featured guest soloists include American pianist Andrew Tyson, SoNA principal violinists Zsolt Eder and Miho Oda Sakon, and French cellist Edgar Moreau.

“This season is rich and varied,” Maestro Haas says. “We feature repertoire from four centuries — from Bach to Bernstein and beyond — with four exceptional soloists, two of whom come from our own orchestra. Of course, we also have a dazzling Christmas spectacular in the works, as well as our fifth annual Snowman performance – two of my favorite holiday traditions.”

“There will truly be something for everyone,” Haas adds. “And we hope you’ll join us!”

The season kicks off on Nov. 3 with Masterworks I: Bernstein & Brahms featuring Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Come un sogno from Symphony No. 7Three Dance Episodes from Leonard Bernstein’s 1944 musical On the Town; and Symphony No. 1 by German great Johannes Brahms.

On Dec. 15, Northwest Arkansas’ favorite holiday tradition returns with A Very SoNA Christmas featuring the SoNA Singers, regional high school choirs, and special guest soloists. Back by popular demand, SoNA will present two Christmas concert performances: a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 p.m. evening performance.

Returning for a fifth year, SoNA and Walton Arts Center present The Snowman: A Family Concert on Dec. 16. Come celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book that continues to delight year after year, as SoNA musicians bring to life the extraordinary musical score.

On Jan. 26, special guest soloist Andrew Tyson takes the stage for SoNA’s first concert of 2019. Masterworks II: Verdi & Chopin features Giuseppe Verdi’s Overture to La Forza del Destino; Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist Tyson; and Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, Rhenish.

Two of SoNA’s violinists will be the highlighted soloists on March 9 for Masterworks III: Beethoven & Bach. The performance includes High Windows by New York-based Christopher Cerrone, Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins featuring SoNA’s Zsolt Eder and Miho Oda Sakon; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.

Wrapping up the season on May 4, SoNA presents Masterworks IV: The Rite of Spring with Latin composer Silvestre Revueltas’ SensemayáTchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme featuring special guest cellist Edgar Moreau; and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

Single ticket prices are $32, $44 and $55. Tickets for The Snowman are only $9. Season subscriptions are $135, $195 and $250 (includes all four Masterworks concerts and the Christmas pops concert; excludes The Snowman), representing a savings of $5 per ticket or $25 total per subscription. Tickets for children ages 12 and under are $10 each with the purchase of an adult ticket. College student tickets are $10 each with a valid student ID. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10 percent discount.

To purchase tickets, call the Walton Arts Center box office at (479) 443-5600 or visit sonamusic.org.

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SoNA’s 2018-19 Season At-A-Glance
Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall
495 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville

Masterworks I: Bernstein & Brahms
Nov. 3, 2018 – 7:30 p.m. | Walton Arts Center
– Rautavaara, Come un sogno
– Bernstein, Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
– Brahms, Symphony No. 1

A Very SoNA Christmas
Dec. 15, 2018 – 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. | Walton Arts Center
A collection of favorite sacred and secular music celebrating the magic and beauty of Christmas. Featuring the SoNA Singers, regional high school choirs, and special guest soloists.

SoNA & Walton Arts Center Present:
The Snowman: A Family Concert

Dec. 16, 2018 – 2 p.m. | Walton Arts Center
Experience this very special screening of the award-winning film “The Snowman” as SoNA musicians bring to life the extraordinary score in an afternoon that is sure to enchant your little ones. Tickets only $9.

Masterworks II: Verdi & Chopin

Jan. 26, 2019 – 7:30 p.m. | Walton Arts Center
– Verdi, Overture to La Forza del Destino
– Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 2, with Andrew Tyson
– Schumann, Symphony No. 3, Rhenish

Masterworks III: Bach & Beethoven 
March 9, 2019 – 7:30 p.m. | Walton Arts Center
– Cerrone, High Windows
– Bach, Concerto for Two Violins, with Zsolt Eder and Miho Oda Sakon
– Beethoven, Symphony No. 2

Masterworks IV: The Rite of Spring
May 4, 2019 – 7:30 p.m. | Walton Arts Center
– Revueltas, Sensemayá
– Tchaikovsky, Variations on a Rococo Theme, with cellist Edgar Moreau
– Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring