The Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild is pleased to conclude its 2025–2026 Classic Concert Series with The Williams–Spielberg Collaborations — A Film Music Lecture.

ASO Violinist, music librarian and String Academy faculty member Dr. Geronimo Oyenard will reprise his highly acclaimed lecture from the University of Central Arkansas (March 2026), joined by a string quartet comprised of members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Together, they will explore the musical partnership between legendary composer John Williams and director Steven Spielberg through live demonstrations of the main themes from their films, accompanied by corresponding film clips shown on multiple overhead screens.

The program will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m. at Village Bible Church, 100 Ponderosa Way, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

General admission: $10. Tickets are available at symphonyguild.org (your email confirmation serves as your ticket) or at the door. The event will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the artists.

About the Program

Step behind the scores of one of cinema’s greatest creative partnerships — composer John Williams and director Steven Spielberg. Spanning over five decades and 29 feature films (soon to be 30), their collaboration has produced some of the most iconic soundtracks in film history.

In this engaging lecture-demonstration, a string quartet will perform and analyze key musical themes from Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and more. The program combines live performance with projected film and music clips, offering audiences a deeper understanding of how Williams’ music elevates Spielberg’s storytelling.

As part of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s ongoing lecture series, Dr. Oyenard explores the rich world of film music across a wide spectrum of topics. In addition to his past presentations for the ASO (Star Wars, Elmer Bernstein, DC/Marvel superheroes/villains), Dr. Oyenard has lectured in both academic settings (University of Oklahoma, UCA) as well as more informal settings (comic book and pop culture conventions). His presentations range from beloved franchises—Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, James Bond, Batman and other Marvel and DC superheroes—to the prolific works of Hans Zimmer. Covering more than a century of music, he traces the art form from the earliest silent films (including Charlie Chaplin, who not only acted and produced but also composed and played violin) to the iconic scores of masters such as Ennio Morricone, famed for his “spaghetti westerns,” and Elmer Bernstein. Each lecture is brought to life with musical excerpts performed by a string quartet comprised of Dr. Oyenard and ASO musicians Leanne Day-Simpson (violin), Lauren Pokorzynski (viola), and Joanna Klett (cello), and enriched by multimedia visuals and insightful commentary.

About the Artist

Dr. Geronimo Oyenard is the ASO’s music librarian and a member of the String Academy faculty. Originally from Uruguay, he now resides in Little Rock, Arkansas. A passionate educator and performer, Dr. Oyenard has extensive experience in pedagogy, chamber music, and Baroque repertoire. He enjoys arranging music from films, TV, and video games for strings.

Dr. Oyenard studied at the College of Charleston, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. His teaching experience includes positions at the University of Oklahoma, Norman School for Strings, UNCSA Community Music School, Performing Arts Institute of Virginia, Bluefield State College, and the Roanoke Symphony, among others. He is a certified Suzuki instructor and currently teaches with the Dallas Symphony’s Young Musicians program and Founders Classical Academy in Plano and Rockwall ISDs.

About the Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild

Founded in 1991, the all-volunteer Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild has grown into one of the largest symphony guilds in the nation. While the HS/HSV Symphony Guild offers a variety of engaging programs for its members, its primary focus is philanthropic — supporting the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, promoting a love for fine music in the community, and serving as the region’s largest organization dedicated specifically to advancing music education in local schools. This three-fold mission is key to attracting members and financial backing. Our members value not only quality programming but also the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students through music education, a vital part of the academic experience. As a member, you'll enjoy early access to event tickets and have the chance to volunteer in support of our educational initiatives. Annual membership is just $25, and you can join at symphonyguild.org.