Contestant Kim Qualls backstage at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s “Arkansas Talent” singing competition, May 12, 2024. Photo by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey.
In Monday’s (5/13) Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Parker Mancino and Eric E. Harrison report, “Marcus Murphy and Kim Qualls are the winners of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s first-ever singing competition, Arkansas Talent, which took place this weekend at Little Rock’s Robinson Center Performance Hall. The two will collaborate with the Arkansas Symphony in various ways in the 2024-25 season, including taking part in the ‘Home for the Holidays’ pops concerts in December. The competition started in November when nearly 100 people showed up to audition for the initial round…. Murphy, 52, of Little Rock, [is] a biomedical engineer at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences … Kim Qualls, 39, of Maumelle, [is] a professional singer, vocal coach and part-time worship leader at South City Church in Little Rock … Murphy’s and Qualls’ wins were based on a decision from the four judges [including] Arkansas Symphony Music Director Geoffrey Robson … and [votes from] the audience…. ‘I think the power of music is that it creates a shared bond in the moment between people who might not otherwise be connected to each other,’ Robson said backstage after the show’s completion on Sunday.”
