Hope, Ark.—A young Arkansas violinist is on tap next for the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council’s program of events.

Tara Mueller, an 18-year-old student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Mass., and winner of many competition awards, will perform here at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10.

The concert takes place at the Rapert Library Auditorium at the University of Arkansas Community College in Hope.

She will perform works by Bach, Beethoven, Ysaye, Sarasate, and Chausson. As well, Mueller will offer a piece composed by her father, Robert Mueller, who will also accompany her as a pianist for the show.

“The piece that I’m doing by my dad was written in honor of the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” said Tara Mueller.

She’s been playing the violin since she was 3 years old and also played piano and flute for a while. Now she’s at one of the top music schools in the nation.

“Just being around so many talented players my age is really inspiring,” said Mueller, who’s developing her style and expanding her knowledge of music theory at the New England Conservatory.

“I try to get a really resonant sound that projects,” she said.

Why the violin for this young prodigy?

“A lot of people say that it’s the instrument that has a sound closest to the human voice,” said Mueller, noting its expressive sound and versatility. Plus, there’s a good repertoire for the violin.

The violinist already has achieved many first-prize awards in competition.

Among the competitions she’s won are the Delta Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, Eugene Hoffmeister Young Artist Competition, UCA/Conway Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, UALR String Competition, University of Arkansas Chamber Orchestra Competition and the String Division of the Stella Boyle Smith Young Artist Competition.

Among the groups she has performed with are Fort Smith Symphony, the Delta Symphony, the Shoals Symphony, the UA Chamber Orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Benton County, the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Camp Orchestra and the North Arkansas Youth Orchestra.

Mueller is one of many artists on the traveling roster for the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arts on Tour program, which brings solo and ensemble performers to locations throughout the state.



(Tickets are $10 for adults and $2 at the door for students. For more information, call the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council at 870-777-8200.)