2024 Artosphere Festival Orchestra Musician Information
The Artosphere Festival Orchestra (AFO), under the baton of Music Director Corrado Rovaris made its debut performance on May 17, 2011 at Walton Arts Center in the beautiful city of Fayetteville Arkansas. Beginning from its premiere season in 2011, and for every year since, over 90 world-class musicians from distinguished symphonies, chamber ensembles and music schools around the world travel to Northwest Arkansas to participate in the annual festival celebrating the convergence of arts, music, nature and sustainability. In addition to traditional orchestral, chamber music, and community engagement performances, members of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra also perform pop-up mini concerts in a variety of settings, and participate in popular performances on the scenic Ozark trails and in other beautiful natural settings.
Returning Musician Registration: Please complete the 2024 AFO Application/Registration Form to let us know you wish to return for the 2024 Artopshere Festival.
New Musician Auditions: On November 27, 2023 orchestra openings will be announced and we will accept new applications. You may get ahead of the process by completing the form found here: AFO Audition Information.
Festival Orchestra Dates:
Saturday, May 11 Arrival / Thursday, May 23 Departure / full three program residency Saturday, May 11 Arrival / Sunday, May 19 Departure / two program residency
Wednesday, May 15 Arrival / Sunday, May 29 Departure / one program residency
Travel dates: May 11, & 19 will be arrival dates based on programming needs. Musicians will depart on May 19 & 23, 2024.
Concert Dates: May 14, 18, 22, 2024.
Repertoire: 2024 Artosphere Festival Orchestra Repertoire
American Soundscapes
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 7pm at Walton Arts Center
Aaron Copland | Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
Nick DiBerardino | Percussion Concerto
Antonín Dvořák | Symphony No. 9 From the New World
Saturday, May 18, 2024 8pm at Walton Arts Center
Giuseppe Verdi | Messa da Requiem
Thursday, May 22, 2024 7pm at Crystal Bridges Museum
W.A. Mozart | Serenade No. 6 for Orchestra in D major, K.239
W.A. Mozart | Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, K.466
W.A. Mozart | Symphony No 41in C major K. 239
Rehearsal Calendar PDF TBD
Compensation: Each musician will receive a stipend for participating in the Artosphere Festival Orchestra. Compensation will be computed for each individual residency based on instrumentation needs only. Section Principals and Concertmaster will receive additional bonus compensation. Large instruments cartage will be provided and arranged individually.
COVID-19 Policy & Protocols: All AFO staff, musicians and soloists must be fully vaccinated and may be asked to provide proof of vaccination. Musicians are encouraged to test for COVID-19 before travelling to Northwest Arkansas. The decision to wear a mask during rehearsals and performances are optional, anyone showing symptoms of COVID will be asked to test and potentially quarantine.
Venues: Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas
Travel: Travel to and from Northwest Arkansas is the responsibility of each participating musician. Additional cartage is available for bass, cello, tuba, and harp, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Round trip ground transportation will be provided for all musicians from XNA regional airport to Fayetteville. Round trip ground transportation from TUL, Tulsa International airport, will be provided with specific shuttle departure times from TUL TBD.
Lodging and meals: Musician lodging will be provided and asigned by the festival at The Graduate Hotel, other comparable hotel properties. Room assignments will be coordinated between individual musician and festival staff and confirmed prior to arrival.
Each musician will receive a meal stipend based on length of stay during the festival. This amount will be provided as part of musician compensation and will be available on the day of arrival.
Orchestra Concert Dress: Black suits with black shirts for men, no tie required. Black dresses or Black slacks with black blouses with long sleeves for women. No short skirts, no sleeveless dresses.
Musicians selected to play in the Artosphere Festival Orchestra may also participate in the Artosphere Chamber Music series, as well as the many outreach programs.
If you are interested in participating in the 2024 Artosphere Festival Orchestra or have any questions please contact us at jsmith@waltonartscenter.org.