Stella Stories: From the Beginning

You see her name attached to our Masterworks series, but did you know that the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra wouldn't exist without her? In 1923 Stella Boyle Smith's love of music inspired her to start a musical group in the living room of her residence in Little Rock. That group went on to become the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The philanthropic spirit and love of music that started this organization remains the status quo as we advocate for the power of music in Arkansas today. Between the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra, which she also started, quartet school visits, 6 concert Masterworks series, ASO String Academy, and countless other programs, the ASO works every day to continue the vision that Stella Boyle Smith had all those years ago. Her generous spirit still inspires people today, thank you, Stella Boyle Smith!