activities · 13
what they do
direct service · 12
- Commission and premiere new musical works Commissioning New Musical WorksCommissions and presents world premieres of new compositions, including Gregory Spears’ work for mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano (2026 season) and Jake Heggie’s song cycle "What I Miss the Most" performed by Jamie Barton.
- Commission and premiere new musical works Commissioning New Musical WorksCommissions and presents world premieres of original compositions, including a song cycle by Jake Heggie ("What I Miss the Most") performed by Jamie Barton and a new work by Gregory Spears written for mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano.
- Organize and host annual multidisciplinary arts festival Folk Music Festival ProgrammingProduces an annual festival in Tucson, AZ, featuring vocal and song performances by renowned artists, with recurring events since its inaugural festival in 2013 and ongoing through at least its 13th annual edition. The festival includes live and virtual programming, such as full performance lineups and events like "New Directions in Song."
- Organize and host annual music festival Choral and Orchestral Concert PerformancesProduces and hosts an annual recurring festival celebrating vocal and song arts, with documented events dating back to its inaugural festival in 2013 and continuing through its 13th annual festival. The festival includes live and virtual performances, and a full lineup of events is organized each year (e.g., 2025 and 2026 seasons).
- Present performances by established and emerging artists Thematic Orchestral Concert SeriesFeatures live and virtual performances by prominent vocal artists such as Jamie Barton, Will Liverman, Karen Slack, Davóne Tines, Angela Brower, D. Jerome, Elena Rivera, and Bryan Hymel, including solo recitals and concert events as part of its seasonal programming.
- Present performances by professional artistsFeatures live and virtual performances by nationally and internationally recognized vocal artists, including scheduled appearances by Jamie Barton, Will Liverman, Karen Slack, Davóne Tines, Angela Brower, D. Jerome, Elena Rivera, and Bryan Hymel.
- Produce festival publications and program materials Community Festival & Event OrganizationPublishes official program books for its festival events, including the 2025 edition, to support audience engagement and event documentation.
- Produce free and educational programming Choral and Orchestral Concert PerformancesHosts free virtual concerts such as "New Directions in Song," featuring students from the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music Opera Theater, broadening public access to vocal performance.
- Promote Tucson as a cultural destination Community Live Music SeriesMarkets festival performances nationally and internationally during its winter and spring seasons to position Tucson as a cultural hub for the vocal arts.
- Promote Tucson as a cultural destination Mariachi & Folklorico FestivalsMarkets the festival nationally and internationally during its winter and spring season to position Tucson as a destination for arts and culture.
- Publish festival program materials Community Festival & Event OrganizationProduces and publishes official program books for its annual festival, such as the 2025 edition, to document and support audience engagement with events and performances.
- Support local performing arts partnersGrants funds to performing arts organizations in Tucson to assist them in bringing vocalists to the city, expanding access to vocal arts across the region.
capacity building · 1
- Support local performing arts through funding partnershipsProvides grants to performing arts organizations in Tucson to assist in bringing vocalists to the city, strengthening local cultural programming and collaboration.
strategies · 6
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborative Festival Model to Amplify Local Arts Ecosystem collaborative_arts_modelBy operating as a collaborative venture and coordinating with local performing arts partners, the festival leverages shared resources and expertise to bring world-class vocalists to Tucson, enhancing the city's musical profile and expanding access to high-quality performances.
- Collaborative festival model to amplify vocal arts collaborative_arts_partnershipBy operating as a collaborative venture with performing arts partners in Tucson, the festival leverages shared resources and expertise to bring leading vocalists to the city and enrich the local cultural ecosystem.
- Committee-based governance for operational management committee-based_governanceUtilizes a committee-based governance structure with designated chairs to effectively manage organizational operations and ensure strategic oversight across festival activities.
- Interdisciplinary Arts Programming to Broaden Engagement interdisciplinary_programmingDesigns programming that explores the human voice across genres—such as classical and jazz—and combines concerts with lectures and master classes to engage both music enthusiasts and novices through education, interaction, and performance.
- Multi-genre exploration of the human voice arts_programmingDesigns programming that explores the full range of the human voice across genres—such as classical and jazz—to engage diverse audiences and deepen public appreciation of vocal artistry.
- Professional artist engagement for community celebration artist-engagementEngages professional artists in recurring festival events to create a sustained community celebration of the arts, fostering public connection through performances, education, and interaction.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Bryan Hymel Recital
Virtual recital presented in partnership with Arizona Opera, featuring the acclaimed tenor in a curated program of art songs and operatic repertoire.
New Directions in Song
Free virtual concert showcasing University of Arizona opera students, hosted by Professor Kristin Dauphinais, highlighting contemporary and innovative vocal music.
World Premiere: What I Miss the Most
Commissioned song cycle by Jake Heggie with texts from prominent cultural and public figures, performed by Jamie Barton and the composer, exploring themes of loss and connection during the pandemic.
relationships · 67
who they work with
- AFP Southern Arizona Partner — Posted a job listing for TDSF's Development Associate position.
- Alexandria Symphony Partner — George Hanson, Executive Director of the Alexandria Symphony, continues his association with TDSF as Festival Coordinator.
- Arizona Arts Live Partner — Chad Herzog, Executive Director of Arizona Arts Live, is a member of the TDSF Artistic Steering Committee
- Arizona Arts Live Partner — Participating organization in the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Arizona Baroque Music Festival Partner — Partnered for events in the 2025 lineup.
- Arizona Daily Star Partner — Media sponsor of the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Arizona Early Music Partner — Participating organization in the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Arizona Early Music Society Partner — Laurie Camm serves as Treasurer of Arizona Early Music Society and is listed as a member of the Artistic Steering Committee of TDSF
- Arizona Early Music Society Partner — Participates in the festival.
- Arizona Friends of Chamber Music Partner — Alan Hershowitz, Board President of Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, is a member of the TDSF Artistic Steering Committee
- Arizona Friends of Chamber Music Partner — Participates in the festival.
- Arizona Friends of Chamber Music Partner — Participating organization in the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Arizona Opera Partner — Brian DeMaris, President and General Director of Arizona Opera, is a member of the TDSF Artistic Steering Committee
- Arizona Opera Partner — Collaborates with the festival for performances.
- Arizona Opera Partner — Participating organization in the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Arizona Opera Partner — Partnered to present a virtual recital by Bryan Hymel.
- Arizona Theater Company Partner — Geri Wright, Executive Director of Arizona Theater Company, is a member of the TDSF Artistic Steering Committee
- Arizona Theater Company Partner — Participating organization in the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Arizona Theatre Company Partner — Partnered for events in the 2025 lineup, presenting "Blues In the Night."
- Ballet Tucson Partner — Margaret Mullin, Artistic Director of Ballet Tucson, is a member of the TDSF Artistic Steering Committee
- Ballet Tucson Partner — Participates in the festival.
- Ballet Tucson Partner — Participating organization in the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Ballet Tucson Partner — Partnered for events in the 2025 lineup, including a premiere.
- BizTucson Partner — Media sponsor of the Tucson Desert Song Festival
- Catalina Foothills High School Theater Partner — Uses the Catalina Foothills High School Theater as a venue for performances.
- Centennial Hall Partner — Uses Centennial Hall as a venue for performances.
- Crowder Hall Partner — Uses Crowder Hall as a venue for performances.
- Fox Tucson Theater Partner — Uses the Fox Tucson Theatre as a venue for performances.
- Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Partner — Uses Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as a venue for performances.
- Holsclaw Hall Partner — Uses Holsclaw Hall as a venue for performances.
+ 37 more