15 Sep 2025 Conway Symphony Orchestra offers free, family-friendly concert Friday in Laurel Park
The Conway Symphony Orchestra invites the Conway area community to kick off autumn with a free outdoor concert under the stars. This Friday, Sept. 19, at 7:15 p.m., Laurel Park will come alive with light classical favorites, perfect for an evening of music, blankets, and picnic baskets. “This laid-back concert is the perfect introduction for all ages to the CSO,” said CSO General Manager Suzanne Loerch. “Once people experience the Concert in the Park, it becomes an event they look forward to each year.”
“Pack your blanket and lawn chair—we’ll take care of the music,” says Maestro Izzy Getzov, who leads the Conway Symphony Orchestra in the performance of classical and popular favorites. “It’s the perfect score for a night under the stars.” During the concert, the audience will be treated to a medley of Bugs Bunny’s Greatest Hits, Mozart Divertimento, K.136, selections from the musical “Oklahoma” and more. Parking is available in the Conway Regional lot off of Robinson Ave at Western Ave., and at the Conway Schools Admin building on Prince Street. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to claim their spot on the lawn beginning at 6 p.m. Guests can purchase dinner and dessert from two food truck vendors, Rubis Mexican Food and Las Delicias, or bring a homemade picnic.
The CSO’s first season concert in the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts will take place Sunday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. The program, “Voices of Liberty,” includes Rossini’s “William Tell Overture; the Clarinet Concerto by Katherine Hoover, UCA concerto competition winner Tyus Diaz, clarinet; and Sibelius Symphony no. 2.
The CSO brings their holiday show, “Cool Yule Holiday Happenin’” to Reynolds Performance Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 pm. The concert features guest artist Shaleah Adkisson, returning to her hometown of Conway for the performance of popular Broadway and Christmas favorites with the full orchestra. Miss Adkisson will be joined by a troupe of young performers ages 6-18 for two songs on the program. Young artists can contact the symphony at 501.269.1066 for upcoming audition information. A limited number of free kids’ tickets will be available at the box office for this show. Free tickets are made possible by CSO in the Classroom sponsor Conway Corp.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., the CSO performs “Dancing with Beethoven” in the Windgate Center Concert Hall. This program features music inspired by dance: Offenbach, Allegro from Orpheus in the Underworld; Faure, Pavane; Marquez, Danzon No. 2; Copland, Hoe-Down from Rodeo; and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.
The orchestra will appear on the UCA Public Appearances series in a live screening of “JAWS in Concert with the Conway Symphony Orchestra.” CSO performs the movie’s score LIVE alongside the film for an unforgettable concert experience. Tickets for the March 7 event at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Performance Hall are available as an add-on to CSO season ticket purchases, or individually at uca.edu/publicappearances/tickets.
The final concert of the 41st season will be performed Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., in the Windgate Concert Hall is titled “Spirit of the New World.” Charlotte Crosmer is a guest artist in this program that pairs Barber’s Violin Concerto with Dvořák’s “New World” symphony.
CSO Season tickets are available at the box office located in the Windgate Center or Reynolds Hall, or by calling 501.470.7572. Tickets are available online at conwaysymphony.org. Season ticket packages are $95 Silver/$130 Gold/$170 Platinum, $190 Platinum Plus. Individual concert ticket sales begin Sept. 19. Individual ticket prices are $34.50/$46/$57.50/$69, with special pricing for the UCA community. Children’s tickets are $17.25 with a paying adult. UCA student tickets (silver section only) are $15 with ID.
Additional information on 2025-26 season concerts and tickets can be found on the CSO website at conwaysymphony.org and at facebook.com/conwaysymphony.
