Ozarks Festival Orchestra
The OFO is a comThe Ozark Festival Orchestra is a not-for-profit performing arts organization presenting concerts to the general public, mostly focused on classical and orchestral music from musical theater and film. Based in Monett since beginning in 1980, the OFO is a community orchestra of non-professionals that draws players from all over the four-state area. The music director (currently Alexandra Kovatch of Springfield) and concertmaster (currently Frankay Stevens of Springfield) are the only officials paid positions. Some players are hired for final services to fill out the ranks for selected repertory. The OFO is managed by a board of up to nine people, many from the players, whose goal is fundraising and promotion. Concerts are generally held at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center and the Monett City Park Casino. A Young Artists program, underwritten in part by the Barry-Lawrence Area United Fund, provides talented young musicians a chance for a solo spotlight playing with the orchestra, usually in February.
The OFO is supported by local sponsors, memberships, donations, admissions, and ads in the program book for each concert. Some funds are managed by the Monett Community Foundation of the Ozarks. To broaden the organization's outreach, the OFO keeps admission fees low: $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and free to students of high school age and under; the lowest fees of any performing arts organization in the state.munity orchestra based in Monett, Missouri.