Bulgarian Clarinet Soloist, Shaw Event Open Symphonys 2014-2015 Season

Supporters of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, or SoNA, gathered on Nov. 9 at the Springdale home of Bob and Diane Shaw for wine, hors d’oeuvres and a short performance by clarinet soloist Ilian Iliev of Bulgaria.

Iliev was in Northwest Arkansas for a concert Nov. 8 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, where he and the symphony performed the Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet by Carl Maria von Weber. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the orchestra has four more concerts scheduled for the 2014-15 season. SoNA is conducted by maestro Paul Haas. Its executive director is Matthew Herren.

Iliev, a Juilliard musician who has played the clarinet for 34 years, was but the latest in a long line of international stars who have performed with SoNA, particularly in the last few years. On his career as a renowned soloist, Iliev had this to say: “I only gain satisfaction when I see others enjoying the music. I stay humble. You are not bigger than the music.”

Bob Shaw, the former CEO of Willis Shaw Express and a co-founder of what is now called the Endeavor Foundation, said symphonic music, introduced to him by wife Diane, has a special place in his heart.

“We’ve enjoyed the symphony over the years and I enjoy the people who are affiliated with the orchestra,” Shaw said. “We love the music.”