The University of Arkansas Latin American Ensemble and the Thaden Community Youth Orchestra will perform together Monday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Faulkner Performing Arts Center in Fayetteville, KUAF Public Radio reported. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved at tickets.uark.edu.
The program mixes Latin and chamber music, from “Oye Como Va” to Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. About 40 youth orchestra members from about 10 Northwest Arkansas schools, including homeschooled students, will play alongside the 12-member UofA ensemble, according to KUAF. The Latin American Ensemble won a 2026 DownBeat Student Music Award for outstanding performance, its second since 2024.
Jon Merz, a Thaden School music faculty member and orchestra director, told KUAF the collaboration grew from conversations between ensemble director Fernando Valencia and fellow orchestra director Paulina Baylor. The groups rehearsed independently before holding their first combined rehearsal the prior Monday.
Valencia said the concert will feature side-by-side performances, chamber music, and a closing piece with all musicians performing arrangements of popular Latin pieces. The program also includes “Killer Tango,” Mozart, and Eddie Palmieri’s Latin jazz piece “In Flight.” Merz said the event gives young musicians a chance to perform in a professional venue alongside university students who model where continued musical study can lead.
For more information, visit kuaf.com.