Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – The Delta Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is bringing a first-of-its-kind event to Jonesboro: A Candlelight Classic. The event is an immersive concert surrounded entirely by candlelight, set to take place Saturday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Forum in downtown Jonesboro.
DSO is Northeast Arkansas’s only professional symphony orchestra and has been a cultural cornerstone for the region since 1973.
After seeing the growing popularity of similar events happening in surrounding metro areas, the Delta Symphony Orchestra decided it was time to bring this to Jonesboro.
“We’re always in pursuit of new and interesting ways to entertain, educate, and enrich the lives of those in our community,” said Emily Hay, executive director of the Delta Symphony Orchestra. “This new event perfectly embodies that mission.”
It’s to be a performance of classical music and classical renditions of many popular and recognizable songs, enhanced by the sole illumination of more than 1,200 LED candles provided by the Ramsons Arts Partnership (of Ramsons Construction).
“Falling so close to Valentine’s Day, this will naturally be a great event for a special date night, but we’re planning an experience that everyone—from one person to a family or group of friends—will find impressive and memorable,” said Lee Kelley, member of the DSO Board of Directors. Kelley is part of the event committee that’s planning and coordinating the Candlelight Classic.
“Candlelight concerts are popular in surrounding cities, with which we compete for tourism, and our board thought it was time Jonesboro had one, too,” Kelley continued. “It will be a first-ever event for Jonesboro, and, to add to the experience of the whole day, we’re also partnering with local restaurants to offer special deals before or after the event with the purchase of a ticket.”
The candlelight concert will be a distinct performance from the DSO, which usually features an awe-inspiring full orchestra of more than 60 professional musicians. The smaller ensemble, however, which will comprise a string quartet with piano accompaniment during parts of the performance, is intended to create a more intimate atmosphere.
“There’s no other organization in the area so well equipped to execute this,” Kelley added. “The musical program will be diverse, with some classical staples, to be sure, but it will actually include a larger number of popular songs by popular artists. There may even be a couple of Taylor Swift tunes, which I know too well my sisters would love—among a few others, I think.”