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SOUTHERN ARIZONA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Tucson, AZ · EIN 953403204 · Form 990 · FY2022 · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.sasomusic.org
revenue
$241K
expenses
$222K
net assets
$618K
employees
0
volunteers
100
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

TO PROVIDE QUALITY MEMORABLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TO AUDIENCES AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO) is an operational nonprofit that presents classical music performances, including world premieres and seldom-performed works, to audiences in Southern Arizona. Founded in 1979, SASO aims to nurture and inspire both audiences and artists through accessible and vibrant musical experiences. They also support young musicians through a concerto competition.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Concert Seasons
Regularly scheduled orchestral performances featuring classical masterworks, world premieres, and seldom-performed treasures in various venues across Southern Arizona.
Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition
An annual competition for talented young music students (ages 14-18) in Arizona to perform a concerto movement, offering awards, season tickets, and the possibility of performing as a soloist with SASO.
Opera Performances
Performances of operatic works, sometimes in partnership with local opera companies, to bring opera to the Tucson community.
SASO/Prolírica International Lyrical Festival of Antioquia
An international lyrical festival in Colombia, co-led by Music Director Linus Lerner, focused on talent development and cultural exchange.
activities · 6 clusters

what they do

  • Orchestral and Choral Concert Performances 4 activities
    • Collaborate with local arts and choral groups
      Performs collaboratively with local ensembles including the Tucson Civic Orchestra, Tucson Masterworks Chorale, Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, Pima College Singers, and Tucson Girls Chorus in joint concerts.
    • Collaborate with local musical ensembles and choruses
      Performs collaboratively with regional groups such as the Tucson Civic Orchestra, Tucson Masterworks Chorale, Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, Pima College Singers, and Tucson Girls Chorus, including joint concerts at venues like TCC Music Hall and in productions such as Reena Esmail's "I Rise: Women in Song".
    • Present orchestral concerts featuring classical repertoire and world premieres
      Presents a full season of orchestral concerts featuring classical repertoire, rarely performed works, and world premieres, with performances held annually since 1979. The orchestra has conducted concerts each season from 2013-2014 through 2026-2027, including specific performances such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 and works by Tucson-based composers.
    • Present orchestral concerts featuring classical repertoire and world premieres
      Presents a regular concert season featuring classical repertoire, rarely performed works, and world premieres, including performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 and works by Tucson-based composers. The orchestra has conducted annual performances since at least 2014-2015 and has planned seasons through 2026-2027.
  • Opera Production and Performance 2 activities
    • Produce and perform full operatic productions
      Stages full productions of major operatic works, including Verdi's Aida and two one-act operas by Puccini and Debussy, both locally in Tucson and internationally. These productions are part of regular concert seasons and have been performed to sold-out audiences.
    • Produce and perform full operatic productions
      Stages full productions of operas such as Verdi’s Aida and presents one-act operas by Puccini and Debussy. These productions have been performed both locally and internationally, including performances abroad.
  • Youth & Emerging Artist Performance Competitions 2 activities
    • Provide performance opportunities for youth concerto competition winners
      Features youth concerto competition winners as soloists in orchestral performances, including performances by Nina Yu, Graham Fawson, Joshua Thai, and Kai Skaggs in concerts between 2019 and 2022.
    • Provide performance opportunities for youth concerto competition winners
      Offers solo performance opportunities with the orchestra to winners of its youth concerto competition, including recent performances by Nina Yu, Graham Fawson, Joshua Thai, and Kai Skaggs in concerts between 2019 and 2022.
  • Live Music Festival & Concert Production 1 activity
    • Conduct international tours and recordings
      Toured internationally to countries including China, Brazil, and Mexico, and has recorded and released two CDs.
  • Choral Touring & Performance Exchange 1 activity
    • Engage in international touring and recording
      Tours internationally to countries including China, Brazil, and Mexico, and has recorded and released two CDs as part of its performance and outreach activities.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Secure concert season sponsorships
      Secured major sponsorship support for concert seasons, including the first-ever season sponsor Dorothy Vanek and later sponsorships by Tom and Carolyn Cochran, to support performance programming.
    • Secure concert season sponsorships
      Secured the first-ever season sponsor for its concerts (Dorothy Vanek) and has continued to obtain sponsorship support, including from Tom and Carolyn Cochran for the 2025-2026 season.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$241K
Contributions & grants$148K61%
Program service revenue$81K34%
Investment income$12K5%
Other revenue$235
expenses
Total expenses$222K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$37K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$669K
Cash$258K
Investments$381K
Liabilities$51K
Net assets$618K
Liquid reserves34.5 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -53.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
LINUS LERNER 1ST VICE-PRESIDENT 45 $37K
board members · 14
  • CHARLES HICKS — DIRECTOR
  • DEANNA SCHROER — PARLIAMENTARIAN
  • DORIS MEDLICOTT — SECRETARY
  • JENNIFER SCHNEIDER — DIRECTOR
  • LORELEI CONRAD — DIRECTOR
  • LUCY HUESTIS — DIRECTOR
  • MARK NELSON — DIRECTOR
  • NANCY ANDERSON — DIRECTOR
  • PAULA KLEIN — DIRECTOR
  • RUTH KURTIS — DIRECTOR
  • SHERRY JAMESON — PRESIDENT
  • TIM LIU — TREASURER
  • TIM SECOMB — 2ND VICE-PRESIDENT
  • TODD WEINER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 12

who they work with

  • DesertView Performing Arts Center Partner — Hosted Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra concerts on Saturday evenings during the 2025-2026 season
  • Michael Stelman Funder — Endowed the Music Director position in honor and memory of Irving Olson and Carolyn Stelman.
  • Orchestra Symphonica EAFIT Partner — International partner in the production of Verdi's Aida at the Teatro Metropolitano de Medellín.
  • Passion Project: Opera! Partner — Partnered to bring two one-act operas by Giacomo Puccini and Claude Debussy to Tucson.
  • Pima College Singers Partner — Collaborative performance partner at TCC Music Hall.
  • Prolírica de Antioquia Partner — International partner in the production of Verdi's Aida at the Teatro Metropolitano de Medellín.
  • St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Partner — Hosted Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra concerts on Sunday afternoons during the 2025-2026 season
  • Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Partner — Collaborative performance partner at TCC Music Hall.
  • Tucson Civic Orchestra Partner — Collaborative performance partner at TCC Music Hall.
  • Tucson Girls Chorus Partner — Collaborated with Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra in the performance of Reena Esmail's "I Rise: Women in Song"
  • Tucson Masterworks Chorale Partner — Collaborative performance partner, including annual joint concerts since the 1980s.
  • University of Arizona School of Music Partner — Hosts the Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition.