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TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 942783658 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE A69Z · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · tucsonpops.org
revenue
$133K
expenses
$144K
net assets
$159K
employees
mission · from form 990

FREE PERFORMANCES OF GOOD MUSIC LITERATURE BY PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS FOR AUDIENCES AT THE CITY PARKS

profile · synthesized from sources

The Tucson Pops Orchestra is a professional orchestra providing free outdoor concerts to the Tucson and Southern Arizona community. Founded in 1955, it performs in city parks with a mission to bring high-quality music literature to broad audiences. The orchestra is led by conductor Khris Dodge and supported by the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, corporate sponsors, and community donors.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Celebrate Tucson
Annual concert celebrating Tucson’s culture, history, and community with guest artists such as The Southwest Tenors and special musical tributes.
Mother’s Day Concert
Springtime free concert held at DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, part of the orchestra’s seasonal programming tradition.
Music Under The Stars
Free outdoor concert series held in Reid Park and other locations, featuring professional musicians performing popular and classical music for large community audiences.
activities · 2 clusters

what they do

  • Orchestral and Choral Concert Performances 11 activities
    • Conducts innovative and mobile concert performances
      Stages unique performances in non-traditional settings, including concerts on the back of a flatbed truck during a procession from Himmel Park to Reid Park, and has performed at community locations such as the Veterans Administration Hospital and radio stations.
    • Creates and produces staged concert productions and tribute performances
      Designs, arranges, and conducts original staged concert productions and tribute shows, including large-scale events such as a symphonic tribute to Donna Summer and collaborations with nationally recognized soloists like Crystal Stark.
    • Delivers professional outdoor concert performances across southern Arizona
      Produces high-quality outdoor concerts featuring 50 professional musicians performing for audiences of up to 8,500 people during spring and fall seasons, primarily at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center and other venues across southern Arizona.
    • Delivers professional outdoor concert performances with a 50-member orchestra
      Produces high-quality outdoor concerts featuring 50 professional musicians, performing for audiences of up to 8,500 people during spring and fall seasons at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center and other venues in southern Arizona.
    • Hosts annual outdoor concerts celebrating Tucson's community and regional spirit
      Organizes and performs in annual concerts that celebrate Tucson's history, culture, and regional identity, including a flagship Mother's Day Concert held at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park. These events feature 50 professional musicians and draw audiences of up to 8,500 people, with free admission to ensure community accessibility.
    • Hosts annual outdoor concerts celebrating Tucson's community and regional spirit
      Organizes and performs in annual concerts that celebrate Tucson's history, culture, and regional identity, including a long-standing Mother's Day Concert, with free admission at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park.
    • Hosts annual outdoor concerts celebrating Tucson's community and regional spirit
      Organizes and performs in annual concerts that celebrate Tucson's history, culture, and regional identity, including a long-standing Mother's Day Concert, with free admission at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park.
    • Perform free outdoor concerts
      The Tucson Pops Orchestra provides professional quality outdoor concerts to the community, featuring 50 professional musicians who perform for audiences of up to 8,500 people at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park during their spring and fall programs, including an annual Mother's Day Concert.
    • Produces large-scale staged concert productions and tribute performances
      Creates, arranges, and conducts original staged concert productions and tribute shows, including symphonic tributes to artists like Donna Summer and collaborations with soloists such as Crystal Stark. These productions have been performed locally and toured nationally, featuring professional orchestral and theatrical elements.
    • Produces staged and tribute concert productions
      Creates, arranges, and conducts original staged concert productions and tribute shows, including symphonic tributes to artists like Donna Summer and performances with soloists such as Crystal Stark, often presented in professional mainstage settings.
    • Tours and performs at multiple venues across southern Arizona and the United States
      Repeats its concert programs at venues across southern Arizona, including SaddleBrooke and Green Valley, and has toured nationally, performing in cities such as New York City, New Orleans, Austin, Sedona, and Northern California.
  • Uncategorized 8 activities
    • Conducts concert tours and special performances regionally and nationally
      Performs in concert processions, such as from Himmel Park to Reid Park, and tours productions across the United States, including performances in New York City, New Orleans, Austin, Sedona, and Northern California, often collaborating with nationally recognized artists.
    • Conducts mobile and unconventional concert performances
      Brings live orchestral music directly to the community through innovative performance formats, such as concerts held on the back of a flatbed truck during a procession from Himmel Park to Reid Park, expanding access beyond traditional venues.
    • Host annual community celebration concerts
      The organization hosts an annual concert celebrating Tucson's history, community, and regional spirit with musical performances, repeating the concert at multiple venues across southern Arizona, including SaddleBrooke and Green Valley.
    • Mentor vocalists and instrumentalists
      The organization mentors vocalists and instrumentalists, establishing lasting professional relationships.
    • Mentors musicians and builds artistic capacity
      Provides mentorship to vocalists and instrumentalists, fostering professional development and long-term artistic relationships within the music community.
    • Mentors vocalists and instrumentalists for professional development
      Provides mentorship to emerging vocalists and instrumentalists, fostering professional growth and establishing lasting artistic relationships within the regional and national music community.
    • Performs concerts at multiple venues across southern Arizona
      Expands access to live orchestral music by repeating its annual concert programs at various venues throughout southern Arizona, including SaddleBrooke and Green Valley, broadening regional engagement beyond Tucson.
    • Provides mentorship and professional development for musicians
      Mentors vocalists and instrumentalists, fostering lasting professional relationships and contributing to the development of musical talent within the community.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$133K
Contributions & grants$130K98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$144K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$100K
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$159K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$159K
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +6.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
FRANCES BETTINGER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 10 $8K
LASZLO VERES MUSIC DIRECTOR 2 $3K
MICHAEL FAN CONCERT MASTER 1 $2K
KHRIS DODGE DIRECTOR 2 $2K
FRAN VERES LIBRARIAN DIRECTOR 1 $1K
LUISA MUIR LIBRARIAN 1 $150
board members · 6
  • ANDY BADE — DIRECTOR
  • GLORIA ROBERTS — DIRECTOR
  • JACK NEUBECK — DIRECTOR
  • JENNIFER GARCIA — DIRECTOR
  • LAWRENCE LEE — DIRECTOR
  • NORMA GENTRY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 27

who they work with

  • Arizona Commission on the Arts Partner — Acknowledged as a partner of the Tucson Pops Orchestra.
  • Arizona Opera Partner — Served as principal percussionist and orchestra manager for 20 years
  • City of Tucson Government — Collaborated on the construction of the Georges DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.
  • Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Funder — Premier sponsor at the $10,000 minimum level.
  • DesertView Performing Arts Center Partner — Venue hosting a repeat performance of the Tucson Pops Orchestra concert.
  • Friends of the Pops Partner — Receives heartfelt support from the organization to fulfill its mission.
  • Green Valley Recreation West Center Partner — Venue hosting a repeat performance of the Tucson Pops Orchestra concert.
  • Gunhild Carling Partner — Collaborated as performer in concert productions
  • Jim Click Automotive Team Funder — Orchestrator level sponsor at the $1,000 minimum level.
  • Jim Click Automotive Team Partner — Presents a raffle prize to raise funds for the orchestra.
  • KXCI 91.3 Partner — Acknowledged as a media partner of the Tucson Pops Orchestra.
  • Paige Davis Partner — Collaborated as performer in concert productions
  • Parks and Recreation Department Partner — Provides shuttle transportation for concert attendees from Randolph Golf Course parking lot.
  • Pima County Attractions Funder — Premier sponsor at the $10,000 minimum level.
  • Pro Remodeling & Restoration Funder — Stand Partners level sponsor at $300 to $499.
  • Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation Funder — Orchestrator level sponsor at the $1,000 minimum level.
  • Sierra Vista Symphony Partner — Arranged and conducted programs for performances
  • Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB) Partner — Coordinates food trucks for the concert series.
  • St. Augustine Cathedral Partner — Hosted the funeral services where the Tucson Pops Orchestra performed.
  • Terry Barber Partner — Collaborated as performer in concert productions
  • The Denver Foundation Funder — Virtuosi level sponsor at $500 to $999.
  • Tucson Parks & Recreation Government — Collaborates with Tucson Pops Orchestra on events and programming, with shared staff involvement in special events and parks coordination
  • Tucson Parks and Recreation Partner — Acknowledged as a partner of the Tucson Pops Orchestra.
  • Tucson Parks and Recreation Department Partner — Receives support from the department to fulfill its mission.
  • Tucson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Performed as on-call percussionist
  • Tucson Weekly Partner — Acknowledged as a media partner of the Tucson Pops Orchestra.
  • VantageWest Credit Union Funder — Composer level sponsor at the $5,000 minimum level.