SoNA assistant conductor says it ‘unites us all’
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN
bmartin@nwadg.com
Sarah Pearson, new this year as assistant conductor for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, sees orchestral music as the soundtrack of our lives.
“Orchestral music actually permeates our society on a daily basis, but most people do not even realize it,” says the native Virginian, who now lives in Chattanooga, Tenn. “From our commercials — which is free domain music — to elevators, malls, restaurants, transportation, it shows up in many different ways. I strongly believe that music … is a universal language. It speaks to you at all levels and reaches you where you didn’t think you needed it. I have traveled the world and conducted internationally, and it is the common denominator that unites us all.”
Courtesy Photo
Sarah Pearson, new this year as assistant conductor for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, will celebrate her conducting debut with SoNA during A Very SoNA Christmas concerts on Dec. 15.
Pearson remembers her own introduction to classical music clearly. She was 7 or 8, she says, when she fell in love with Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” playing it over and over on the family record player.
“I loved hearing and getting to know the different instruments, what purpose they served and hearing them all play together as the full orchestra,” she remembers. “Even today, my favorite game to play when listening to a new work, is discovering the instrumentation, time period, composer, etc. — a very fun process that keeps my musical mind and ears sharp.
“Another milestone was the first time I saw an orchestra live,” Pearson goes on. “I was spellbound and could not get enough of watching and hearing them. There is something truly magical about a live performance that you can never get by listening to a recording. I discovered that day that I wanted to be a part of that glorious music somehow and knew I would find my way.”
That said, Pearson admits that although “everything I have experienced and done in my life up until this point has prepared me for my calling as a conductor,” there are challenges that come with her gender.
“For me, conducting and music are not a job, but a path that I know I am to take,” she says. “That belief keeps me going and resilient in a tough field for either gender. When I am on the podium, I sense God’s presence and pleasure. And while the path ahead still proves to be very unconventional, I will continue to lean into the field and make great things happen wherever I am.”
Armed with an undergraduate degree in music performance from Tennessee Temple University and dual Master’s of Music degrees in conducting and music education from Lee University School of Music, Pearson is music director and conductor for the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus of Tennessee and the Cleveland Pops. She is a popular guest conductor and “covers” for maestros like Robert Bernhardt at the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, in addition to her work with SoNA music director Paul Haas — who has, she says, put together a “fabulous musical lineup” for A Very SoNA Christmas on Dec. 15.
Courtesy Photo
Sarah Pearson, new this year as assistant conductor for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, will celebrate her conducting debut with SoNA during A Very SoNA Christmas concerts on Dec. 15.
“We will open this exciting concert with Rutter’s arrangement of ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ with our SoNA Singers,” she explains. “The opening is very fanfare-like, serving as an overture, and very exciting.” After favorites like “Sleigh Ride,” the concert will feature Haas’ own work, “The Birth,” that includes narration of Christ’s birth “that is very powerful.”
“I then get the great pleasure of having my conducting debut with SoNA this concert,” Pearson adds. “I will be conducting Waldteufel’s ‘Les Patineurs’ — also known as the ‘Skater’s Waltz,’ a very famous work used often in movies, advertisements and skating competitions. I am sure it will be one everyone will recognize.
“We will conclude the concert with ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth,’ along with the SoNA Singers,” she finishes. “This is a powerful work that I think will speak to everyone, not just for the Christmas season, but throughout the entire year.”
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FAQ
A Very SoNA Christmas
WHEN — 2 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15
WHERE — Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville
COST — $32-$55
INFO — sonamusic.org or 443-5600
BONUS — SoNA also presents “The Snowman,” performing the soundtrack to the film live, at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at WAC. Tickets are $10.
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FYI
APO Celebrates
Christmas, Too
The Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Bentonville, also presents Christmas concerts at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Arend Arts Center. Tickets are $5-$35 at 800-965-9324 or arphil.org.
