Founded in 1923, the Fort Smith Symphony is the oldest orchestra in the state of Arkansas. The organization is dedicated to providing the region with excellent orchestral programs that entertain, educate and enhance the quality of life. Today, the Symphony is a professional per-service orchestra of more than 100 musicians serving the Greater Fort Smith Region of approximately 280,000 people with an array of concerts, educational initiatives and community projects.
Under the leadership of Music Director & Conductor John Jeter, the Fort Smith Symphony has experienced a rise to prominence among regional orchestras, with significant artistic and financial growth. For his work as Music Director, Mr. Jeter was awarded the Governor’s Artist of the Year Award for the State of Arkansas in 2012. In the past two decades, the majority of the orchestra's concerts have been sold out, serving a balanced audience of different ages as well as economic and cultural backgrounds, with an increase in attendance by young audience members and families. The orchestra reaches thousands in the community each season through its performances, educational programs and community endeavors.
In line with its mission, the Fort Smith Symphony currently performs five subscription concerts from September to April, showcasing world-class guest artists and diverse musical projects that appeal to broad audiences and foster community celebration of the Arts. Educational initiatives include Earquake!, Symphony in the Schools and the Kool Cats Jazz Quartet. The Symphony was honored for its educational programs with the 2005 Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Arts in Education. Symphony educational programs have reached as many as 10,000 students in a single concert season.
The Fort Smith Symphony has a rich tradition of radio broadcasts and interviews throughout the region. Programs such as “Conductor’s Choice” on KUAF, “Custom Classics” on Cox Television and Clear Channel Radio brought musical insight to thousands of listeners and viewers in Western Arkansas and Eastern
Oklahoma for over ten seasons.
Beginning in 2006, the Fort Smith Symphony’s partnership with Naxos International lead to four critically acclaimed commercial recordings of the music of African-American and Arkansan composers William Grant Still and Florence Price. With the growing social and cultural emphasis on racism, equality and inclusion, these releases continue to be some of the most frequently streamed and broadcast recordings in the United States and United Kingdom. The recording of Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 and 4 has been instrumental in the national popularity of her music. Our fifth album, featuring the work of Louis Ballard, will be recorded in April 2023.
The Fort Smith Symphony is one of a small number of orchestras nationally to have presented its entire subscription season live to live audiences during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. The Symphony’s next few seasons are a hopeful transition back to pre-Covid operations and budgets. The Symphony begins an exciting new chapter with its partnership with the Arkansas College of Health Education Health and Wellness Research Center. The orchestra will collaborate with medical professionals on music and health/wellness research and educational programs.
As one of the area's most vibrant and successful Arts organizations, the Fort Smith Symphony draws positive attention to the artistic excellence and quality of life Fort Smith offers. The orchestra remains a critical cultural asset and plays a significant role in enhancing the region's community and economic development.