In addition to providing professional performances of symphonic music in Southern Arizona, the Tucson Symphony Musicians play an integral role in educating Tucson’s youth.
The musicians perform educational programs with the entire orchestra at the concert hall (Young People’s Concerts) and the Tucson Symphony Center (KindeKonzerts), and as small ensembles in the schools (Music in the Schools), reaching kids all over the Tucson area. Talented local music students participate in the symphony’s Young Artists Competition, a concerto competition open to young musicians (ages 8-22). The TSO’s Young Composers Project is nationally recognized, and has garnered praise from such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma.
Outside their symphony schedule, many TSO musicians teach private lessons and Suzuki classes, coach student chamber groups and youth orchestras, participate as teaching artists in TUSD’s Opening Minds Through the Arts program, and are lecturers or professors at the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. Additionally, TSO musicians serve as classroom teachers in Tucson’s public schools, not only in instrumental instruction, but also general music.
TSO musicians belong to various professional educational organizations, such as the American String Teachers Association, the Suzuki Association of America (International Suzuki Association) and the Music Teachers National Association, which sponsor numerous educational events for Southern Arizona’s youth. They network with every educational entity in Tucson, and send their students to conservatories and music schools and camps across the country.
Please click here to find a list of Tucson Symphony musicians who teach privately.
The TSO String Quartet (Carla Ecker, Wynne Wong Rife, Marybeth Tyndall and Ilona Vukovic-Gay), stars of “Josefina Javelina”, at a TSO KinderKonzert. The music was composed by Ilona, who also runs the Young Composers Project.
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