Arkansas Symphony Orchestra tops out $11.75 million facility

Konner Marsh
·2 min read

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is putting the finishing touches on its $11.75 million Stella Boyle Smith Music Center in Little Rock, according to a press release.

The 20,000-square-foot center will be the symphony orchestra’s first permanent home in its 58-year history.

The press release said that ASO hoisted the final structural beams for the center on Jan. 30, and key supporters and community partners were invited to sign one of the three beams during the topping-out celebration.

ASO CEO Christina Littlejohn announced at the event that the music center’s lobby will be named for Irene and Gus Vratsinas, in honor of the couple’s longtime generosity of time and resources dedicated to ASO, according to the press release.

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Gus Vratsinas is a lifetime member of the ASO Board of Directors, a key leader in raising funds for the new center and a chairman of the board of Bailey Construction & Consulting LLC, the general contractor for the Stella Boyle Smith Music Center.

“Their passion for Little Rock and understanding of the critical role live performances and music education play in building a creative, vibrant city and community are why hundreds of thousands of Arkansans in the past 50 years and the next 50 years can experience the joy and wonder of live symphonic music,” said Littlejohn.

The center will serve youth and adults of all ages with a variety of musical programming. It will provide access to music education, music performances and music-making to residents from Arkansas through new spaces and a broadcast and recording studio.

ASO broke ground the project on Aug. 10, 2023. More than 200 donors have contributed to the project, including 48 musicians, raising more than $11 million, according to the press release.

The release said while performances by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will still be held at Robinson Center, the Stella Boyle Smith Music Center will provide additional community gatherings and allow ASO to grow its programs.

The new music center is scheduled to open in the fall.

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