Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1929, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra is the longest running professional performing arts organization in arizona. in the 2021-22 season, TSO returned to stage with their classics, masterworks, and chamber series as well as holiday and movie specials. Operations continued to be reduced due to the covid-19 pandemic, but still engaged 28,000 patrons with 20 unique programs.

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra has one of the most active community engagement programs in the orchestra field. As an integral member of the community, the TSO serves as a music resource for all of Southern Arizona. The TSO has formed strong partnerships with local businesses, visiting corporations and non-profit agencies. Local communities also enjoy active relationships with the TSO, bringing both small and large concerts to their residents. As part of the TSOs most recent initiative to engage the growing latino audience, it has established an annual free Mexican Independence Day concert, promoted with the Mexican consulate.

The TSO offers six innovative music education programs: Just For Kids, Kinderkonzerts, Music in the Schools, Young Peoples Concerts, Young Composers Project, and Band and Orchestra Clinics. The TSOs nationally-recognized education programs allow students from approximately 44 schools in Southern Arizona to benefit from direct engagement with TSO musicians. During the TSOs 29th year of Young Composers Project (YCP), 22 students ages 8-18 attended hybrid learning classes from October through May, each composing a new work that was performed by TSO ensembles and full orchestra. The YCP has received National Endowment for the Arts funding for 11 consecutive years. In 2022, YCP also benefited from a partnership with Earshot, a program of the American Composers Orchestra, for a three-day workshop of intensive classes and reading session led by world-renowned mentor composers, Michael Torke, Melinda Wagner, and Billy Childs. Just For Kids returned on TSOs mobile stage bringing free outdoor ensemble concerts to families in the local tucson area.Music in the Schools - 18 schools received school visits by TSO ensembles throughout the year and registered to participate in the spring young peoples concerts.Young Peoples Concerts 3,168 students and teachers registered for the event and received tsos curriculum materials.Kinderkonzerts - 746 students and teachers registered for the event and received TSOs curriculum materials.