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A-State Closing Early Thursday, Jan. 9, Closed Friday

Arkansas State University is closing all academic and business offices at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, and remaining closed on Friday, Jan 10, in response to the incoming inclement weather.

However, while regular business offices are not open, the campus continues to operate. Essential personnel who maintain on-campus activities, including University Housing, Dining Services and Facilities Management, will report to work. Employees who are uncertain about their status as “essential personnel” are encouraged to check with their supervisor.

Full-time employees who track working hours can submit their time as “Authorized Leave.”

Revised Facility Hours:

  • Dining Services will operate under brunch hours at Acansa Dining Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Dinner service will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.  Howl's Grill and Starbucks will be open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  
  • The Dean B. Ellis Library will be closed, but is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m.
  • The Reng Student Union will open for on-campus student usage at 8 a.m., closing at 8 p.m.
  • The Red WOLF Center will be closed.
  • The A-State Bookstore will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

All campus residents are reminded to monitor official university media, including official social media accounts for updates. 

Emergency Contact
University Police
870-972-2093

Social Media
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Strings & Orchestra

Strings Orchestra Page.png

The Arkansas State University String Area is committed to promoting the excellence of performance in music across Arkansas and includes study in violin, viola, cello, bass, and guitar. Our professional string faculty at A-State are active as performing members of regional orchestras, chamber musicians, and soloists with a passion for teaching and local outreach. All active string players across the university and surrounding community are welcome to participate in the various performance offerings which include orchestra, chamber music, and private lessons and independent study. Outside of these performance opportunities, A-State also regularly hosts inspiring performances by world-renowned string ensembles such as the Juilliard String Quartet and 6-Wire Trio.


  • String Faculty

    Jenny Cao, Violin, Viola, Cello, & Bass, Coordinator of Strings
    rcao@astate.edu

    Andrew Manka, Guitar
    amanka@astate.edu

  • Orchestra

    The A-State Orchestra is directed by Dr. Nicholas Balla. It is open to all students in good standing with the University as well as community members and area high school students. The ensemble explores the wealth of literature from the standard string repertoire to works for full orchestra. The Orchestra has recently performed music by Vivaldi, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Debussy, Bartok, Nielsen, and Respighi. The group regularly features guest artists including faculty members of Arkansas State University and collaborates yearly with the A-State Department of Theatre and A-State Opera Theatre.  The ensemble meets Monday 6:00pm-8:00pm.


Strings & Orchestra
Contact the String Area Coordinator

Jenny Cao

Phone: (870) 972-3757

Room: 135
Fine Arts Center

String Scholarships