Two symphonies may have moved into its regional market, but the Fort Smith Symphony, now in its 89th year, continues moving forward, too.
In terms of potential measures of success — ticket sales, music quality, fundraising and more — music director John Jeter says the symphony is on a high note. As of this time last week, for instance, about 1,100 of the 1,300 tickets in its home venue, the Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, were already claimed by season ticket holders, meaning only 200 seats remain for each concert.
That’s during a time when many civic symphonies are struggling, especially in drawing young patrons.
“We’re seeing a big growth in young families, and that’s for all the programs,” Jeter says. “And that youth demographic is growing quite a bit.”
“There are a lot of choices out there,” he continues. “And that’s one of the challenges of the industry. But we’re bucking the trend quite a bit.”
Jeter sees the 2012-13 season as an introduction to what the symphony is capable of doing. That momentum will carry into its 90th anniversary season, which starts this time next year.
This season’s collection falls slightly more toward the traditional side of the classic versus pops equation, but it still contains a healthy mix — three classical shows, two pops and a Christmas program that also leans into pops.
Kicking off the season is “Sounds of the Universe,” which features Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” and employs the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Women’s Choir to provide the voices. Next is a swing music extravaganza featuring The Capitol Quartet, a four-piece saxophone group that promises to interject humor into the show.
Closing out 2012 will be “A Simply Sinatra Christmas” featuring vocalist Steve Lippia as he performs some of Frank Sinatra’s greatest songs, such as “Luck Be A Lady” and “Come Fly With Me” and Christmas classics “The First Noel” and “Let It Snow.”
Next on the roster is “Evening Serenade,” featuring both Brahms’ Serenade No. 1, Op. 11 and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto No. 2, which Jeter believes is making its debut in Arkansas during the performance. University of Arkansas professor Er-Gene Kahng will be the featured soloist.
Back by popular demand is a showcase of music by John Williams, composer to Hollywood. Among those songs to be performed in the April 20 show are selections from films such as “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” “Jaws” and “Schindler’s List,” featuring concertmaster Elizabeth Lyon.
Closing out the season is the program “Sonic Boom!” Among the titles in the concert will be Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto” and Sir William Walton’s “Crown Imperial — Coronation March,” which was composed for the 1937 coronation of English monarch King George VI.
Season tickets are on sale now; individual passes go on sale Sept. 4.
Whats Up, Pages 16 on 07/20/2012