What We Do

As an integral education partner to the region, the TSO has one of the most extensive and comprehensive education programs in the orchestra field. The TSO’s education programs historically reach more than 40,000 young people and teachers each year across metropolitan Tucson and southern Arizona through more than 175 annual concerts, extensive curriculum and interactive workshops.

  • Young People’s Concerts (YPC) are presented to students in grades 3-8 each year. The six-concert cycle is performed by the entire Tucson Symphony Orchestra at the Tucson Music Hall. These 45-minute programs feature a variety of orchestral music exploring the same annual theme as the Music in the Schools program. The 80+ schools that attend YPC come from Tucson as well as outlying areas including Oracle, Sahuarita, Santa Cruz County and the Tohono O’odham reservation. TSOL members serve as ushers at these concerts and provide food for the musicians between events.
  • KinderKonzerts! bring students in grades K-2 to a new location this year, the Berger Performing Arts Center, to hear the Tucson Symphony Chamber Orchestra. The 45-minute concerts explore how “Music Tells a Story.” More than 30 public and private schools from around Tucson attend one of these eight concerts. TSOL members serve as ushers at these concerts and provide food for the musicians between events.
  • Just for Kids programs feature lively, fun, interactive concerts for children of all ages and their families. Through these concerts, audience members become acquainted with the instruments and sounds of the orchestra. TSO ensembles create their own presentations designed to capture the imagination and energy of children and parents alike. TSOL members assist families and record attendance. 
  • Young Composers Project teaches elementary through high school aged students to compose music for orchestra. Since 1993, this program has produced more than 275 new works by young composers. The program has been expanded to two levels – introductory and advanced – to better serve each participating student. In this “living laboratory,” students learn to use score-writing software, work with TSO musicians in composition workshops, attend TSO rehearsals and have opportunities to meet and discuss with composers and guest artists on the TSO concert series. The yearlong class culminates in the TSO’s reading sessions and recordings of these new works. TSOL members are encouraged to attend the reading sessions which will be held at the Tucson Symphony Center on May 15 and May 16 at 7:00 pm, and Catalina Foothills High School on May 20 at 2:00 pm.
  •  Guest Artist Hospitality: Members of TSOL generously assemble a variety of foods and gifts for each of the classic series guest artists. At the beginning of the season the chairperson of this activity asks for volunteers to provide a gift bag which is delivered when the guest artist arrives in Tucson. Often these artists respond very positively about what they receive. Items include special waters, wine, juice, snack packets, fresh fruit, candy, etc. Sometimes small gifts of local items are included.
  • TSO Staff Luncheon: Every spring our organization hosts a salad luncheon to honor the TSO staff and to show our appreciation for their work. Members providing various salads stay to eat and visit with the staff. The event takes place in the Jones Board Room with staffers waiting and hungry. The 2020 staff lunch will be on Thursday, February 20
  • TSO Office Projects: From time to time throughout the year TSO staff may request assistance with office projects such as preparing educational packets, assisting with mailings (stuffing/stamping) etc. 

Thank you for your interest. A TSOL member will reach out to you with additional details.Should you have any questions please contact Sue Ostermeyer, President 419-0223 or Deane Ford, Membership Chair 743-2222.