Created in 2011 under Music Director Corrado Rovaris, the Artosphere Festival Orchestra (AFO) features 80 dynamic musicians from around the country. Selected through an earth-friendly online audition process, these world-class artists performed two concerts in 2011, American Soundscapes and Italian Soundscapes, exploring how nature has inspired composers to create some of the worlds greatest orchestra works.
The AFO, under guest conductor David Hayes, also hosted the finalists of the Fulbright Concerto Competition, and performed educational outreach activities throughout Northwest Arkansas. In addition, several members of the AFO performed in the Nature of Strings Chamber Music Series.
The AFO will continue to be a central part of the Artosphere festival in coming years.