The musicians of the Fort Smith Symphony can play furiously fast, but slow and steady has always been the key for the organization’s growth.

“Every decade, you see degrees of improvement,” says John Jeter, musical director and conductor of the organization. The symphony started small, no larger than a chamber ensemble. That was 90 years ago, and on the occasion of such a birthday, the symphony threw itself a party. Orchestra members, guests and supporters gathered on Oct. 5 for a pre-show gala and a large concert featuring a commissioned work about Fort Smith. The event closed with a rendition of Rachmaninoff ’s Symphony No. 2.

“We were trying to make a big splash. They (audience members) really felt like the orchestra got bumped up a notch in terms of quality,” Jeter says.

The symphony’s goal moving forward is togrow - slowly - into a larger, more professional organization. Fundraising and programming remain the keys to such a plan, but already, the organization is making strides. The sheer size of the orchestra is larger, and the operational budget has increased as well. Even though the 90th celebration concert and gala went off without a hitch, another show this season might end up being a better indicator of what’s to come, Jeter said. The third show on the symphony’s roster was scheduled for Dec. 7, which fell during a particularly nasty round of winter weather. The River Valley was hard hit by ice and power outages. As hundreds of entertainment options in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas opted to cancel or postpone, the symphony forged ahead.

Musicians from all over the country arrived for the show, and many patrons braved the conditions, too. On a limited rehearsal schedule, the symphony was able to produce a stellar performance.

“It demonstrated for a lot of people how professional the orchestra has become,” Jeter said.

The music industry is notoriously fickle.

Northwest Arkansas actually has two professional orchestras, but they arrived in the wake of the near dissolution of a 50-plus-year-old symphony.

It all comes down to gradual growth, Jeter says.

“We’re able to meet the challenges. We’ve been able to do well in a challenging industry,” Jeter said.

A happy birthday indeed.

Whats Up, Pages 13 on 12/20/2013