The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s 37th annual Opus Ball will honor the life and music of Little Rock composer Florence Price.
This year’s Opus Ball, the ASO’s largest annual fundraising event, will take place on Nov. 13 at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight. The event, which will include an evening of music, dining, dancing and an auction, will support ASO music education programs for children across Arkansas.
The ball’s hosts this year are Maureen and Rick Adkins.
“As a musician and music educator, it’s a special honor to host this year’s Opus Ball and have the opportunity to celebrate both the unique musical legacy of Florence Price ASO’s commitment to music education,” said Maureen Adkins. “I look forward to coming together with the ASO supporters who continue to make this possible and hopefully introduce some new friends to this incredible community of music lovers.”
In 1933, Little Rock-native Florence Price became the first female African American composer to have her work performed by a major national symphony orchestra. The discovery of more than 19 boxes of manuscripts sparked renewed interest in her catalogue of overlooked work.
ASO honored Price on Sept. 16 by performing the world premiere of her own orchestration of her Piano Concerto In One Movement at the Celebrate Little Rock, Together free concert. This marked the symphony’s first full orchestra concert since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her Piano Quintet in A Minor was also the focus of ASO’s Oct 12 concert, Celebrating Florence Price.
In the past 54 years, over 100,000 Arkansas children have learned discipline, teamwork and self-confidence through ASO, according to a press release. For more information, visit: www.arkansassymphony.org/opus-
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