by Audrey Hanes, photography by Melissa Donner 

For more than five decades, the Delta Symphony Orchestra has committed to entertain, educate and enrich Northeast Arkansas by providing orchestral music of artistic excellence. Later this month, the DSO will present a few select members in a chamber concert with the concept of “A Candlelight Classic,” an evening of popular songs and classical staples under the warm glow of more than 1,500 candles.

The first of its kind of this scale, “A Candlelight Classic” was the idea of recent Delta Symphony Orchestra (DSO) board member and Jonesboro native Lee Kelley.

“I first reached out to (DSO) with interest in volunteering at events,” said Kelley, who works at The Solutions Group, a local marketing and advertising agency. “I’m a classical music enthusiast – a big one, actually, as my Spotify Wrapped will attest – and I wanted to elevate the impact of the DSO. Well, I was contacted by another board member, Atin Suri, in early spring of 2025 asking if I’d be interested in being nominated for an open board position. It didn’t quite feel earned or deserved as it’s a great board, but it was a total, ‘Yes.’ I was elected to the board in April and served in my first meeting in June.” 

Soon after joining the board, Kelley had the idea for bringing a candlelight concert to Jonesboro after seeing ads for a similar concert while in Little Rock in December 2024. 

“I’d decided I was going to plan arrangements to see one this winter in either Memphis or Little Rock,” he said. “I was thinking in my first board meeting that this is the perfect organization to bring such a concert to Jonesboro. Why should I have to drive to Memphis or Little Rock? 

“I first mentioned it to Emily Hay, the executive director, and she encouraged me to bring it up at the next board meeting in July. I did, and our very enthusiastic and open-minded board was totally on board. There have been so many names pivotal to bringing this all together and planning this out, and we’re excited to see it through.”

Current DSO Board President Dr. Ray Hall was also supportive of the new concert concept.

“We work as a team to energize our 51-year-old treasure, the Delta Symphony Orchestra,” said Hall. “Lee Kelley is the driving force and visionary behind the upcoming Candlelight Concert, which should be an intimate musical and sensory event. Our goal is to enhance music and the arts in our communities and bring more people to enjoy live classical and contemporary music. Once experienced, we want folks to return and become active symphony supporters.”

Kelley said so many different businesses and supporters helped the idea of adding a candlelight concert to DSO’s repertoire a reality. 

“Our sponsors, of course, were pivotal – The Ramsons Arts Partnership by Ramsons Construction, and Interiors By Design,” said Kelley. “Then the restaurants we’re partnering with, like Lemonade House Grille and Abe’s Place, to offer our ticket holders additional value ahead of the event. The Forum Theatre has been very accommodating, as well. And, finally, the outstanding members of the DSO Board and Guild. So many have given their time and energy to providing hors d’oeuvres and refreshments at the event, putting the batteries in the candles, spreading the word, etc. We have a very active and engaged board and guild.”

Organizers promise the concert will have something for everyone, even the unexpected, like a Taylor Swift piece. 

“There are renditions of popular songs that most will be familiar with, other modern ones that are lesser known and a couple of classics from big names in the classical genre,” said Kelley. “It’ll be a good mix, and some will really be a surprise, I think. There were a few that were a surprise to me, that our string quartet had already known and mastered. They’re superb.”

Dr. Neale Bartee, DSO conductor and artistic director, is excited for Jonesboro to experience the DSO’s offerings in a new way.

“This is a brand-new event for the Delta Symphony and Jonesboro,” said Bartee. “Six members of the DSO will perform chamber music in a unique setting. I’m excited for the new way audiences can experience classical and popular music in a romantic atmosphere. It is great exposure for the symphony, and the fundraising aspect is always a benefit. 

“This event will provide a wonderful opportunity to remind our fans that we have a full orchestra program coming up February 15 at the Fowler Center with the Young Artist Competition winners and a chorus of elementary students from seven area schools.”

“A Candlelight Classic” is just one of many exciting performances on the DSO’s seasonal lineup, with two of the season’s largest and most publicized events still to come.

“We’re excited for this event, for its uniqueness for us and for Jonesboro, but we also have a couple of full orchestra performances this season left to follow,” said Kelley. “The DSO, based right here in Jonesboro, hosts an annual, nationwide Young Artist Concert on February 15. We’ll also be celebrating our nation’s semi-quincentennial birthday (America 250) on April 11. ‘A Candlelight Classic’ will be a fun and unique Saturday, but there’s a certain beauty to 60 performers, and all the different instruments, working in unison to produce such a sound. It’s something to witness.”

“A Candlelight Classic” will take place on Feb. 7 from 7-9 p.m. at The Forum Theatre in Downtown Jonesboro. For tickets or more information, visit deltasymphonyorchestra.org.