Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO) exists to connect, enrich, inspire and advance Arkansas through the power of music. Over the past four years, Music Director Philip Mann and the orchestra have built upon the foundation of artistic excellence, creating inspiring concerts with record attendance. The board, staff, orchestra and guilds have worked together to lead the orchestra through the economic downturn and prepare for the future. ASO has ended the last four seasons financially in the black and vital signs are strong: increased concert attendance, increased giving from individuals, and board giving has more than tripled.

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, ASO has an annual budget of approximately $3 million. Current programming in Little Rock includes six pairs of Masterworks, five pairs of Pops, six River Rhapsodies chamber music, youth concerts, and extensive education programming for young people performed primarily by the ten full-time musicians of the orchestra. In addition, the orchestra performs in communities across the state.

Highlights of the past few years include: April 1, 2010, announced Philip Mann as new Music Director. In 2011, the Board adopted a new strategic vision for the future. In 2012, the Board adopted a new business model to support the strategic plan. During the summer of 2014, we plan to relocate the ASO office space and rehearsal hall to a Creative Corridor of arts organizations on Main Street in downtown Little Rock. In addition, the orchestra's main performance venue, Robinson Center Music Hall, will undergo a two year renovation starting in June, 2014. During this time, ASO will be performing Masterworks concerts at Maumelle Performing Arts Center and Pops concerts at Pulaski Academy in West Little Rock.