Steven Byess is a man with a mission. Or perhaps it is better to say the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, which will begin its third season in October, embodies his mission. The APO, which typically performs at Bentonville’s Arend Arts Center, wants to be the area’s hyperlocal symphony, with local soloists, local musicians and educational elements for nearby students.

“(Those goals) were realized in every single concert we performed last year,” says Byess, APO’s music director, by phone while on break from his conducting duties with Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio.

And they will be realized for the orchestra’s 2012-13 season, which launches Oct. 27 with a performance called Classical Masters, with two of the works featuring cellist Allison Eldredge. Although Eldredge is not from Northwest Arkansas, she has a way of connecting with fans. The same can be said for Yoonie Han, who will join the APO for a show on Feb. 2 performing performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.

“She’s so affable, and she loves connecting with patrons who come to the shows,” Byess says.

Byess says the model the Philharmonic has adopted is new in the world of symphonic music. Other orchestras may import musicians from distant locations, but Byess takes pride in having 80 percent of APO’s musicians — and perhaps more — call Northwest Arkansas home.

One of the guests has a more direct local tie. Pianist Jonathan Story, a Fayetteville native, will perform at the APO’s final concert of the season, an April 20 event featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Byess met Story at Rotary Club and was immediately struck by his charm and his playing ability.

“He’s a very interesting and dynamic young man. … He’s a local star,” Byess says. And he will play a piece that’s a star in its own right, as Byess describes Rachmaninoff’s work as “lavish” and “lush.”

Also joining the Philharmonic are star vocalists Laurie Gayle Stephenson and Steve Amerson, both of whom have worked with Byess many times. They will perform a repertoire of Christmas songs in a program on Dec. 16.

Because the performing halls of Benton County are booked on the April 20 date that’s been set aside for Story’s performance with the orchestra, Byess and other staff members are searching for a venue for the concert. His goal is to make an orchestra that is followed wherever it goes and is well attended regardless of the program in question. Last year’s shows, which were sold out or nearly so for each event, proved to Byess the organization is well on its way.

“Our goal is to be ultimately enriching and enlightening. I think for the past two years, we’ve done exactly that,” he says.

Whats Up, Pages 16 on 07/20/2012