Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Akiko Fujimoto, Music Director
Rites of Renewal: The Firebird October 3, 2026
Rites of Renewal: The Firebird Saturday, October 3, 2026 – 7:30PM Walton Arts Center Akiko Fujimoto, Music Director
Hector Berlioz
Roman Carnival Overture
Aaron Copland
Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
Op. 9
Buckaroo Holiday Corral Nocturne Saturday Night Waltz Hoe-Down
Camille Saint-Saëns Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah
Igor Stravinsky
INTERMISSION The Firebird Suite (1945)
Introduction Prelude and Dance of the Firebird Variations (Firebird) Pantomime I Pas de Deux: Firebird and Ivan Tsarevich Pantomime II Scherzo: Dance of the Princesses Pantomime III Rondo (Khorovod) Infernal Dance Lullaby (Firebird) Final Hymn
This concert is generously sponsored by Flowers are given by the Greenwood family in honor of Mary Ann Greenwood 2
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
SoNA Board & Staff Board of Directors Marti Sudduth, Chair Holly Johnson, Vice Chair Kim Hadley, Treasurer Grant Davis Malcolm Hayward, M.D. Tom King, Ph. D. Juan Rodriguez Laura Wilkins Chris Wolf Tod Yeslow Min Yoo, M.D. Board of Advisors Ed Clifford Cynthia Coughlin Reed Greenwood Susan Hui Jill King Peter B. Lane Bill Mitchell Frank Sharp Dick Trammel Staff Ben Harris, Executive Director Akiko Fujimoto, Music Director Natalie Fernandez, Education Director & Personnel Manager Ben Glodowski, Operations & Production Manager Dr. Hannah Monk Truehart, Development Manager Terry Hicks, SoNA Singers Director Sarah Pearson, Assistant Conductor Luke Pearson, Accounting Elizabeth Bainbridge, Chorus Manager Richard Bobo, Music Librarian Contact PO Box 1243, Fayetteville, AR 72702 479.521.4166 info@sonamusic.org Connect www.sonamusic.org facebook.com/sonafan instagram.com/symphonynwa
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Akiko Fujimoto Music Director Bob & Becky Alexander Chair
FIRST VIOLIN Winona Fifield, Concertmaster Sandy Edwards Chair
Paulo Eskitch, Acting Associate Concertmaster Cynthia Coughlin Chair
Thane Isaac, Acting Assistant Concertmaster Lynn & Joel Carver Chair
Miranda Burns
Pour Jon’s Coffee Chair
Albert Garcia
Michael E. Hill Chair
Dina Litvinov
Susan & Anthony Hui Chair
Ramiro Miranda
Carolyn Smart Chair
Santiago Posada Marin Austin Rice Dayton Strick Michael Weir Alla Wijnands SECOND VIOLIN Miho Oda Sakon, Principal
Min Yoo Chair
Ezgi Karakus, Acting Associate Principal The Nichols Family Chair
Amelia Ivory Michael Puryear Ashley Allison
Tod Yeslow & Jackie Telfair Chair
Claire Klinker Chair
Lester Lewis Endowed Chair
VIOLA Jesse Collett, Principal Bob & Becky Alexander Chair
Grace Clark, Acting Associate Principal
BASS Jarrett Bastow, Principal Peter Lane & Barbara Putman Chair
Kassie Ferrero, Acting Associate Principal
Chris & Carrie Wolf Chair
Glenn Dewey
Mary & George Benjamin Chair
John Porter Jeremiah Rupp
Bob & Becky Alexander Chair
Anonymous Donor Chair
Carley Flowers
Christine Klinger Chair
OBOE Lauren White, Acting Principal Jeff Pugh & Rebecca Levy Chair
Lorilee Erdman
Daniel & Chauna Ellis Chair
Sarah Evans, English Horn Caleb & K’Anne Arthur Chair
CLARINET Jasper Hensley, Acting Principal Laura & Bruce Wilkins Chair
Mt. Sequoyah Women of Music Chair*
Mason Sangster
Min Yoo Chair Elle & Raymond Etheredge Chair
BASSOON Michael Jones, Acting Principal
Tim & Deborah Ogg Chair
Richard Bobo
Paul Roberts Anne Wenzel
Logan Mabry
Molly Sharp Andrew Thompson
Brooke Brander Chair
Ben Korzelius
Anonymous Donor Chair
Colton Privette, assistant
Tim Wootton
Marshall & Beth Saviers Chair
Karol Rulli Cristian Vega Isabella Adams Corbin Bodley Abraham Martinez Isaac Orvin Ben Weir
Ann Marie Ziegler Chair
Jeremy Ulm
Carol Sue & Alan Wooten Chair
Pecos Singer
Stephanie Hoeckley, Acting Associate Principal
Mary Haley
Kim & Kelly Hadley Chair
Jason Hofmeister
TRUMPET Richard Rulli, Principal
FLUTE Ginny Hudson, Acting Principal
Sara Sasaki Lam, Acting Associate Principal
HORN Zach Monroe, Principal
Elle & Raymond Etheredge Chair
Lauren Green
Mt. Sequoyah Women of Music Chair*
Mimi Dye
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CELLO Grace Whitton, Acting Principal
David & Holly Johnson Chair
Kevin Staggs, bass
Malcolm & Ellen Hayward Chair Jennifer & Dr. Kenton Ross Chair
Abby Mauldin
Barbara & Doug Prichard Chair Martha & Drew Frits Chair
Dalton Snow
Grant & Kali Davis Chair
Emma Duncan
TROMBONE Cory Mixdorf, Principal Tenor Michael Hollomon & Eric Wailes Chair
Doug Fletcher
Joey Martinez Chair
Lucas Kaspar, Acting Principal Bass TUBA Ben Pierce, Acting Principal Justice David Newbern Chair
TIMPANI Steve Craft, Principal Thad & Melanie Beck Chair
PERCUSSION Fernando Valencia, Acting Principal Jeff Pugh & Rebecca Levy Chair
Amy Hearting
Michael E. Hill Chair
Carson Vanduch Paul Keesling
HARP Devanee Williams, Acting Principal Bob & Becky Alexander Chair
KEYBOARD Eric Frei, Acting Principal Marti & Kelly Sudduth Chair
*Mt. Sequoyah Women of Music: Jenny Coogan, Karolyn Farrell, Linda Kelly, Jill King, Lynn Rogers, Jane Scroggs, Jackie Telfair, Laura Wilkins, and Ann Marie Ziegler
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Akiko Fujimoto Music Director
With expressive style, meticulous preparation and a gift for connecting with ensembles, conductor Akiko Fujimoto is known for evoking dynamic performances wherever she conducts, inspiring praise for her “powerhouse performance” from the San Francisco Chronicle. In May 2026, Fujimoto was announced as the new Music Director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA), the premier orchestra of one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. She also serves as Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony, where she has guided the ensemble through the pandemic and spearheaded a period of unprecedented growth since her appointment in 2019. Formerly the Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, Fujimoto has made conducting appearances with numerous other U.S. orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony, Houston Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony and the Florida Orchestra. Highlights from recent seasons include her debuts with the Toledo Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, and a return to the Minnesota Orchestra in August 2025 as part of Summer at Orchestra Hall. The 2026-27 season marks Fujimoto’s eighth season as Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony. Recent projects include a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, a collaboration with the Dirty River Jazz Band and a 2-part celebration of America at 250.
At the Minnesota Orchestra, Fujimoto worked closely with Music Director Osmo Vänskä and conducted concerts in a range of genres and formats including Sommerfest, pops, and educational programming. She also previously worked with Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta, and Susanna Mälkki as a cover conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As Conducting Associate of the Virginia Symphony, Fujimoto conducted a variety of subscription, educational, and community concerts, and worked closely with Music Director JoAnn Falletta. In her time as Associate Conductor at the San Antonio Symphony, Fujimoto’s highlights included a gala concert featuring violinist Gil Shaham and fully staged ballet productions of Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. She was widely appreciated for connecting with audiences through her on-stage presentations and weekly pre-concert lectures, and for her successful collaborations with organizations ranging from mariachi and folklórico ensembles to a gospel chorus and military ensembles. Born in Japan, Fujimoto holds a bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from Stanford University and Master of Music degrees in conducting from Eastman School of Music and Boston University. She began her career with conducting roles at Harvard University and Stanford University, later serving as Director of Orchestras at the College of William & Mary.
“My first season with SoNA is one giant love letter to Northwest Arkansas. As I begin this journey as your new Music Director, I’ve curated a season that celebrates the extraordinary artistry of our musicians while reflecting the beauty, imagination, and energy of this community. From the supernatural magic of Stravinsky’s The Firebird and the unstoppable force of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to Respighi’s breathtaking Pines of Rome, this season is filled with music that moves, inspires, and takes flight.” — Akiko Fujimoto
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Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
Ways to support SoNA Overture Society
Gifts of any size to the Overture Society provide general operating support for concerts, education programs, community outreach, and administrative expenses.
Chair Sponsorships
Chair Sponsorships support the musicians in the orchestra and help SoNA attract and retain the best talent in the region. A gift of $2,500 will support a Principal musician for a season. A gift of $1,750 will support an Associate Principal position, and a gift of $1,000 will support a section musician.
The Maestro’s Circle
Members of the Maestro’s Circle are donors who have committed to multi-year gifts of $5,000 or more annually. Contributions to the Maestro’s Circle help support the financial stability and long-term growth of SoNA.
Legacy Gifts
Planned charitable bequests to SoNA help to ensure that our mission of bringing great music to life in Northwest Arkansas will continue for generations to come. For assistance with bequests, including gifts of stock, please contact Greenwood Gearhart, Inc. at (479) 521-5353.
The Maestro’s Circle Bob & Becky Alexander George & Mary Benjamin The James Burton Blair Family Foundation Bob Bogle (in memoriam) Joel & Lynn Carver Nick & Carolyn Cole Cynthia Coughlin Sandra K. Edwards Daniel & Chauna Ellis
Mary Ann Greenwood (in memoriam) Reed Greenwood Susan Hall Orville Hall (in memoriam) Malcolm & Ellen Hayward Tom & Jill King Greg Lee Hannah Lee (in memoriam) Rebecca Levy & Jeff Pugh
Ellis & Kay Melton David & Pam Parks Mary Lynn Reese Mark & Diane Simmons Kelly & Marti Sudduth Walton Family Foundation
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Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners
Overture Society Gifts listed below have been received or pledged between January 1, 2025 and August 24, 2026, and do not include corporate matches. We make every effort to maintain accurate records. If we have omitted or misspelled your name, please let us know. Concerto $10,000+ Bob & Becky Alexander Mary & George Benjamin Nick & Carolyn Cole Cynthia Coughlin Reed Greenwood Malcolm & Ellen Hayward Thomas & Jill King Jim & Ann McKenzie Rebecca Levy & Jeff Pugh Mark & Diane Simmons The Starr Foundation David H. Stiegler Trust Kelly & Marti Sudduth Bravissimo $5,000 - $9,999 The James Burton Blair Family Foundation Joel & Lynn Carver Sandra K. Edwards Daniel & Chauna Ellis Susan & Orville Hall Dr. Alan & Sherri Lamb Lester Lewis Endowment Ellis & Kay Melton Francis Spencer Millett David & Pam Parks Hollis Rogers Mike & Mary Russell Todd & Melissa Hall Simmons Joyce Stafford Tod Yeslow & Jackie Telfair Min Yoo
Nadine L. Baum Charitable Trust Foundation
North Arkansas Symphony Guild
Support for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
Bravo $2,500 - $4,999 Thad & Melanie Beck Virginia Ann Coogan Hershey & Denise Garner Kimberly & Kelly Hadley Michael Hollomon & Eric Wailes Bob & Linda Kelly Christine Klinger Greg Lee David & Deborah Malone Mike Necessary David & Carolyn Newbern Doug & Barbara Prichard Mary Lynn Reese Lance & Wendy de la Rosa Jason Viator Laura & Bruce Wilkins Carrie & Chris Wolf Ann Marie Ziegler Encore $1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous Caleb & K’Anne Arthur Brooke Brander Jacquelyn Brandli Anita Bukey Ed & Carol Clifford Thomas & Susette Cole Natallia Collins Grant & Kali Davis
John & Kay DuVal Trae & Elle Etheredge William & Joyce Feldman Joel Freund & Carla Crawley Drew & Martha Frits Morton Gitelman & Nancy Garner Lyle & Sue Gohn Howard & Treva Hamilton Ann Henry Michael Hill Art Hobson Anthony & Susan Hui Emmett & Eric Jackson Calvin & Shawna Jarrett David & Holly Johnson Jerre Jouett Elana Kahaykin Claire Klinker Leslie C. Krusen, Jr. Peter Lane & Barbara Putman Sabra & William Martin Joey Martinez Marshall McKenzie Jeffrey Metzner Lindsey & Rita Miller Bill & Deeg Mitchell Emily & Chris Moore The Nichols Family Tim & Deborah Ogg Neil & Katie Paine Jennifer & Dr. Kenton Ross Margaret & Dick Rutherford Marshall & Beth Saviers Bob & Diane Shaw Ken & Celia Shireman Carolyn Smart Cynthia & Dewitt Smith Arnold Smith & Kathleen Wong Sally Stone (in memoriam) O.H. & Mary Storey Cheryl & Jeff Thomas Walton Arts Center Margaret Whillock Alan & Carol Sue Wooten Linda Wray Prestissimo $500 - $999 Anonymous Carole & John Ball Kim Bennett Lori Bremer & Wayne Stout Monique Carswell Roy Clinton Gaye Cypert Peter & Tara Elzer Donald & Karolyn Farrell Joan & Bruce Johnson Tom & Karen Kapella Bill & Missy Kincaid Stephen & Cathy Marak Jana & Mac Mayfield Lee & Lynn Moore Michael & Kathy Moss Nancy Preis Mary Purvis Lynn Rogers & Jerry Jones Silas Reinagel
Kathryn Rubenstein Bill & Judy Schwab Jane Scroggs Mark Smidt Sylvia Smith Brad & Lindsay Vester Mr. & Mrs. William Waitsman Pattie Williams Presto $250 - $499 Robert Adair Ashley Allison Karen Anderson Ashley Appling Max & Margaret Barron Susan Bristow Judy Brittenum Terrye & Patric Brosh June Carter Jack & Grace Cleghorn Fidelma Cobas Kelly Coughlin Tom & Dana Dykman Alan Ellstrand & Karen Byers Tommy & Rebecca Free Gail & Randy Goodrum Lowell & Kathy Grisham Sandy Luetjen Micky & Marybeth Mayfield Bill & Kim McComas Jeanette Millar Dwight & Brandy Mitchell James & Mary Ellen Moore D. Riley Nicholson Jeffrey O’Dea & Ellen Byars Sallie & Thomas Overbey Charles & Carey Pollard William Prettyman & Judy Dunleavy John & Frances Rankin Charles & Ann Rye James & Buffy Scherer Stephen & Colleen Shogren Rebecca Summerlin Loyd & Carol Swope Julia Thorn Dick & Nancy Trammel Allegro $100 - $249 Louis & Patricia Beland Thomas A. Beller Arlene & Jerry Biebesheimer Kathryn Birkhead Van Brahana Howard Brill Holly Childs Jason Clark Roy Clinton Courtney Corwin Marsha R. Daniel Suzanne & David Dickey Charity Dye Heath England Debbie Evans James Ezell Peggy Jo Fender Susan Garriss Ian & Donna Hanson Peter & Margo Heinzelmann Vickie Hilliard Caitlyn Hutchison Cole Jensen
David Wilson Johnson Stephen Johnson Marsha Jones Tomoko Kashiwagi Erin Kimrey Hugh Kincaid Raquel King Jacqueline King John King & Sally Kelley-King Kari Larson Christopher Lavagnino Molly Longstreth Bill Mandrell Heather Mayo Allison McElroy Bob & Linda McMath Rob & Kathy Merry-ship Mike & Debbi Mohler Brandon Moore Joseph O’Connell Annette Penney J.P. Peters Julia Peters Martha Ragar David & Jerilyn Renfroe Ann Rosso Michael & Suzanne Saltz Robert Schur Carl & Rita Sewald Jordan Smith Mark Tocco & Colleen McCarthy Sandi Villinski Cody Vineyard Ashley & Dusty Wardlow Tara Weaver Dina Wood Debut $20 - $99 Myra Bolinger Becky Brink Sara Brown Thermon & Karen Crocker Kimberly Duhamel Julie & Dennis Fellers Grimsley & Carol Graham Rebecca Harrison Carolyn Hartman Bryan Huntsman Sharon Kavanagh John & Harriet Mack Catherine McGowan Nancy Miller Patrick & Peggy Moriarity Philip Morin John Parrack Bill & Mildred Rogers Faith A. Sawyer-Tindle Doris Schuldt Winifred Shanor (in memoriam) Sherry Singh Sergio Suarez & Monica Lopez Gallo Irina Tantchou Gene Tweraser Bruno Valdes Sarah & Chandler Wrampe In Honor of Ben Harris Lori Bremer Hershey & Denise Garner In Honor of Tom King Margaret Whillock
In Honor of Ben Harris, Paul Haas, & Terry Hicks Vickie Hilliard
Margaret Whillock David & Pattie Williams Ann Marie Ziegler
In Honor of Dr. Malcolm & Ellen Hayward Tod Yeslow & Jackie Telfair Roy Clinton
In Memory of Doug Cummins Tom & Jill King Virginia Ann Coogan
In Honor of Miho Oda Sakon & the Sequoyah Strings Lori Bremer In Honor of D. Riley Nicholson Mary & George Benjamin Kimberly & Kelly Hadley David & Holly Johnson In Honor of Marti & Kelly Sudduth Tim & Deborah Ogg In Honor of Reed Greenwood Dina Wood In Honor of Isabel Tweraser & Akiko Fujimoto Gene Tweraser Billie’s Friends Bob & Becky Alexander Ted Belden Mary & George Benjamin Phil & Margie Bullock Ann & Jack Butt Nick & Carolyn Cole Virginia Ann Coogan Cynthia Coughlin Sid & Kay Davis Don Deweese Tommy & Kathy Deweese Karen Dobbs Susan & Orville Hall David Fedele & Matthew Herren Reed Greenwood Howard & Treva Hamilton Malcolm & Ellen Hayward Michelle & Jacob Hayward Morriss & Ann Henry Anthony & Susan Hui Stephen Johnson Bob & Linda Kelly Bill & Missy Kincaid Hugh Kincaid John King & Sally Kelley-King Tom & Jill King Peter Lane & Barbara Putman Bill Mandrell Sabra & William Martin Rob & Kathy Merry-ship Bill & Deeg Mitchell Mike & Debbi Mohler Sarah & Miles Myers Sallie & Thomas Overbey David & Pam Parks Doug & Barbara Prichard Chalon & Dell Ragsdale Mary Lynn Reese William Rosenaur Jennifer & Dr. Kenton Ross Anita Scism Bob & Diane Shaw Ken & Celia Shireman Carolyn Smart Joyce Stafford Starr Family Foundation Kelly & Marti Sudduth
In Memory of Don Deweese Tom & Jill King In Memory of Gary Lynn Fast Michael Hill In Memory of Michael Lieber Tom & Jill King In Honor of Orlando Scalia Colleen & Steve Shogren In Memory of Phoebe Goodwin Meredith Abel Nancy Dadigan Virginia Coogan Billie Emert Tom & Jill King Joao Santa-Rita Ann Marie Ziegler In Memory of Mary Ann Greenwood Betty Harrison Nancy Koonce & David Marshall Tom & Jill King In Memory of Robert Ratliff Marti & Kelly Sudduth In Memory of Sally McLemore Hennis Linda Ward Partridge Michael & Martha Ward In Memory of Sara Sharp Betty Harrison Matching Gifts Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Eli Lilly & Company Foundation The Walmart Foundation In-Kind Support Mary & George Benjamin Spoon & Level Bakery DOXA / VANTAGE Reed Greenwood Malcolm & Ellen Hayward Andrew Chu Finnegan Wyatt Peddler’s Pub Anthony & Susan Hui Joan & Bruce Johnson Jill King Jana Mayfield Romance Diamond Co. Bill & Judy Schwab SoNA Board of Directors Marti & Kelly Sudduth
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Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
The Season Continues at Walton Arts Center Modern Mythology: The Music of John Williams NOVEMBER 8, 2026 / 2PM
SUNDAY MATINEE
Fate & Triumph: Beethoven’s Fifth FEBRUARY 21, 2027
2PM
A Very SoNA Christmas DECEMBER 12, 2026 2PM & 7:30PM TWO HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
The Snowman: A Family Concert DECEMBER 13, 2026 / 2PM
SUNDAY MATINEE
Eternal City: Pines of Rome APRIL 10, 2027 / 7:30PM
SUNDAY MATINEE
Tickets & Subscriptions On Sale Now! sonamusic.org / 479.443.5600
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proudly support SoNA’s 2026-27 Season