Conway Symphony brings art, music together on March 3

The Conway Symphony Orchestra will tell the story of 10 different worlds with “Pictures at an Exhibition” on Saturday, March 3. 

The music is inspired by composer Modest Mussorgsky’s visit to an exhibition of his close friend Victor Hartmann’s artwork. “From little children playing in a French garden, to a witch who lives in a flying hut, to the catacombs and skulls under the streets of Paris, every piece is unique and moving and wonderful,” said CSO conductor and music director Israel Getzov.

Also on the program is UCA Concerto Competition winner Paden Sharp of Conway, performing the second and third movements of Grøndahl’s Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra. 

The 7:30 p.m. concert is at Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA Campus, 223 Beatrice Powell St., Conway.

Continuing to draw a connection between art and music, the CSO will host an art fair before the concert from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the lobby of Reynolds Performance Hall, with hands-on activities from organizations such as EcoFest, Art on the Green and The Art School. During the fair, artwork submitted by local schoolchildren will be on display in a slide show, with the winning selections featured. Audience members are also invited to a lecture on the art of the period in the upstairs lobby from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.

Artwork matched to each movement of “Pictures at an Exhibition” will be projected during the performance, including works by professional artists Steve Griffith, Vivian Noe and Matthew Lopas, further bringing together the communities of art and music. The paintings by the invited artists will be available for viewing at a reception immediately following the concert in the Mirror Room of McAlister Hall. From the reception, guests are invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Baum Gallery with director Brian Young.

Tickets start at $5 for children and students of all ages with ID, $10 for UCA faculty/staff, $15 for groups of 10 or more, and $20-$38 for adults, and include the concert and all activities. Contact the box office at 501.450.3265 or at ConwaySymphony.org (adult tickets only online). Audience members are also asked to bring food items to donate to the Conway High School Little Free Class Pantry, as the CSO participates in Orchestras Feeding America.

The Conway Symphony Orchestra brings professional concerts, exciting guest artists and high-quality music to the Central Arkansas community. For more information on concerts and other programs, visit ConwaySymphony.org or call 501.269.1066.