Ozark Music Festival Transforms NWA Into Classical Music Paradise
Think Northwest Arkansas can’t get any cooler? Think again. This June, we’re trading honky-tonk for high culture as the brand-new Ozark Music Festival turns our corner of the Ozarks into a classical music wonderland that would make Mozart jealous.
Two Weeks of Musical Magic
From June 10-22, over 100 musicians—including 25 pros and 75 collegiate talents—are descending on Fayetteville to create something extraordinary. We’re talking world-class orchestra members rubbing shoulders with rising stars, all while performing in venues that range from Crystal Bridges to your neighborhood coffee shop.
The festival kicks off with a free outdoor brass fanfare at Fayetteville’s Cultural Arts Corridor (aka the “Upper Ramble”) on Wednesday, June 11 at 6 PM. Because nothing says “we’re here to shake things up” like brass instruments announcing your arrival to the entire Greenway.
Here, There, Everywhere
Here’s where things get interesting. Sure, you’ll catch performances at fancy spots like the Faulkner Performing Arts Center and Crystal Bridges Museum. But you’ll also stumble upon chamber music in public libraries, churches, and coffee shops across NWA.
It’s classical music’s answer to a pop-up restaurant—except instead of artisanal donuts, you’re getting world-class renditions of Debussy’s La Mer and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.
The Lineup That’ll Make Your Spotify Jealous
Led by Sunny Xia, Associate Conductor of the Seattle Symphony (yes, the actual Seattle Symphony), the festival orchestra isn’t messing around. They’re tackling everything from Strauss’s Don Juan to contemporary composers like Reena Esmail. Plus, there’s a world premiere by Little Rock native Jeremy Crosmer that you literally can’t hear anywhere else.
The theme? “Transformation”—a nod to the festival’s evolution from the beloved Hot Springs Music Festival. Think of it as classical music’s glow-up story, Arkansas style.
Here’s a sample of what’s coming:
- June 11: The whole thing kicks off with a brass fanfare at the Ramble. It’s free, it’s outside, and it’ll set the tone for the next 12 days.
- June 14 & 15: Catch the orchestra’s first-ever performances—one in the library, one under the stars at The Momentary Green.
- June 16: The “Inside Out Experience” lets you sit right in the middle of the orchestra during rehearsal. Festival pass holders only. Sounds wild, right?
- June 18: Open mic night at Mount Sequoyah where the classical musicians switch it up with comedy, acting, and off-the-cuff performances.
- June 20: A double feature—first, a “Soundscapes” stroll through the Upper Ramble with music tucked into forest paths and creek trails, then a nightcap concert at Crystal Bridges featuring a world premiere by Arkansas’s own Jeremy Crosmer.
- June 22: They’re wrapping it all up with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center, and it’s going to be a powerhouse.
Plus, there are chamber concerts sprinkled all throughout—from churches to museums to scenic spots around town. You can dip in for one or two, or go full-on festival fan with a pass that lets you catch it all.
Stay in the Loop
Check out the full lineup and ticket info at https://ozarkmusic.org/festival-events.
