LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO) officially celebrated the grand opening of its new Stella Boyle Smith Music Center in Little Rock on Saturday with a parade, ribbon cutting, inaugural concert and more.
Named for the Arkansas philanthropist who founded what would become the ASO in her living room in 1923, the building cost $11.75 million with contributions from more than 200 donors.
“In a few minutes, you all will walk into our new home and experience joy, love, and laughter through the power of music,” ASO Board Chair Jan Hundley said at the ribbon cutting.
Hundreds of guests did just that, eager to see the new facility for the first time.
It will serve as the first permanent home for the ASO. In addition to a 300-seat performance hall, it will also have more space for programs like the E. Lee Ronnel Music Academy.
“We really needed this space because we have a lot of education programs,” ASO CEO Christina Littlejohn said. "We were teaching kids outside in storage rooms, and kids were making music in rooms where bats also lived… we needed that space, and so this new headquarters gives us that, and it also makes Arkansas Symphony feel more permanent."
The new building will also give the ASO a new space in which to perform, which they did Saturday, hosting a free “first concert.”
The concert began with a piece called, “Skyward,” which was composed by Little Rock native Jeremy Crosmer specifically for the occasion.
ASO Music Director Geoffrey Robson, who conducted most of the performance, said it was everything he’d hoped.
"We spent so much time designing the acoustics of this space,” Robson said. “Trying to get the sound just right for everything that we're going to be doing in there, and it's turned out beautifully. It's a fantastic room, and we can't wait to share our music with the entire community.”
The day started with a parade that ended on Third Street, right in front of the new facility.
In addition to the inaugural concert, the ASO also performed alongside the Saint Mark Baptist Sanctuary Choir later in the day.
Click here for more information about the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.