The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild is pleased to present “Symphony On The Green”, Friday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Chenal Country Club

Featuring the music of the ASO Big Band, and the ASO Jazz Trio, the beautiful new Chenal Country Club ballroom is the site for this fun and casual event that supports music education in our schools.  The evening will begin with cocktails, followed by a gourmet Caribbean-themed menu created by Chenal Chef Dan Capello, and topped off with dancing to the music of the ASO Big Band.  There is a decidedly Caribbean-tropical theme for the evening; invitations encourage guests to leave the tuxes and ball gowns at home, put on something lively and “snazzy casual” and come out for sumptuous food and an evening of dancing or just listening to standards with an emphasis on swing.

Co-chairs for the event are Richard Tripodi and Jane McKinney. “The whole objective of this event is to have a great time while raising money for and awareness of the amazing work of the Symphony, especially the ASO education programs,” Tripodi said. “For the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the ASO programs reached 21,600 Arkansas students, many of whom would have had little if any exposure to classical music or the instruments used to produce this music.”

“The ASO Guild will be honored at this summer’s National Conference of the League of American Orchestras for its highly successful Orchestra and You, a free program co-sponsored by the Guild that introduces 1^st – 3^rd graders to all the instruments in an orchestra. We are one of only 18 Guilds to be so honored at this prestigious national conference,” said McKinney, who has served on the ASO Board of Directors since 2009.

For more than three decades, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) Youth Orchestra has brought together some of the state’s most talented musicians, introducing them to the classical orchestral repertoires, fostering their musical education, and often opening doors to professional music careers.  The ASO’s youth program has expanded to include more than 200 members, ranging in age from 9 to 18.  The Youth Orchestra and other ASO programs are supported in part by the fundraising efforts of the ASO Guild.

The cost for tickets is $150, which includes the event cocktail, dinner and dancing. Proceeds from Symphony on the Green directly benefit the work of the ASO.  Tickets are available by calling Julie Cabe at 501.661.9516 or online at jmcabe@att.net.