irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $225KThe TSO offers six innovative music education programs: Just For Kids, Kinderkonzerts, Music in the Schools, Young Peoples Concerts, Young Composers Project, and Band and Orchestra Clinics. The TSOs nationally-recognized education programs allow students from approximately 44 schools in Southern Arizona to benefit from direct engagement with TSO musicians. During the TSOs 29th year of Young Composers Project (YCP), 22 students ages 8-18 attended hybrid learning classes from October through May, each composing a new work that was performed by TSO ensembles and full orchestra. The YCP has received National Endowment for the Arts funding for 11 consecutive years. In 2022, YCP also benefited from a partnership with Earshot, a program of the American Composers Orchestra, for a three-day workshop of intensive classes and reading session led by world-renowned mentor composers, Michael Torke, Melinda Wagner, and Billy Childs. Just For Kids returned on TSOs mobile stage bringing free outdoor ensemble concerts to families in the local tucson area.Music in the Schools - 18 schools received school visits by TSO ensembles throughout the year and registered to participate in the spring young peoples concerts.Young Peoples Concerts 3,168 students and teachers registered for the event and received tsos curriculum materials.Kinderkonzerts - 746 students and teachers registered for the event and received TSOs curriculum materials.
- #2 $176KThe Tucson Symphony Orchestra has one of the most active community engagement programs in the orchestra field. As an integral member of the community, the TSO serves as a music resource for all of Southern Arizona. The TSO has formed strong partnerships with local businesses, visiting corporations and non-profit agencies. Local communities also enjoy active relationships with the TSO, bringing both small and large concerts to their residents. As part of the TSOs most recent initiative to engage the growing latino audience, it has established an annual free Mexican Independence Day concert, promoted with the Mexican consulate.
named programs · 6 · from sources
what they call their work
Concert Series
Regular orchestral performances featuring classical, film scores, and themed programs such as Star Wars and John Williams tributes
Concerts & Tickets
Presentation of various orchestral performances, including classical, contemporary, and film scores performed live.
Just for Kids
Educational concerts designed for children, featuring different ensembles like the percussion ensemble.
Just for Kids with the Percussion Ensemble
Educational and interactive performances designed for children and families
TSO Up Close
Intimate concert series offering closer audience engagement with the orchestra
Young Composers Festival
Showcases original works by young composers performed by small ensembles
activities · 6 groups
what they do
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Orchestral and Choral Concert Performances 8 activities
- Perform live orchestral accompaniment to filmsHosts live-to-film concerts, including full orchestral performances accompanying screenings of "Star Wars: A New Hope," enhancing cinematic experiences with synchronized orchestral music.
- Perform major classical orchestral worksPerforms canonical classical and romantic repertoire, including symphonies, concertos, and orchestral suites by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Handel, and Smetana (The Moldau), as part of its regular concert season.
- Perform major classical works and concertosPerforms canonical orchestral works and concertos by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Handel, and Dvořák, including the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Beethoven's Triple Concerto, Brahms' Symphony No. 4, and Handel's Messiah, as part of its regular concert season.
- Perform orchestral concertsPerforms a wide variety of orchestral concerts, including classical repertoire, film scores with live accompaniment, American-themed music, Latin music, and rock music tributes.
- Perform orchestral concertsPerforms a variety of orchestral concerts, including classical repertoire, film scores with live accompaniment, American-themed programs, Latin music, and rock music tributes.
- Present live orchestral concerts with thematic programmingProduces and performs a diverse range of live concerts featuring thematic programming, including tributes to film composers (e.g., John Williams, Hans Zimmer), musical eras (e.g., Jazz Age, 1960s/70s rock), American themes (e.g., Copland, American West), and Latin repertoire. Concerts include full orchestral performances and collaborative ensemble works.
- Present live orchestral concerts with thematic programmingProduces and performs a diverse range of live orchestral concerts featuring thematic programs such as the music of John Williams, film scores by Hans Zimmer, American composers like Copland, Jazz Age music including Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue," Latin repertoire, and rock music from Laurel Canyon. Concerts often highlight specific cultural or historical themes and include both full orchestra and collaborative ensemble performances.
- Provide live orchestral accompaniment to film screeningsPerforms live orchestral accompaniment to the film "Star Wars: A New Hope" in concert, synchronizing the full score with the on-screen action as a special event experience.
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Chamber Music Performance Series 4 activities
- Present chamber music and small ensemble performancesHosts intimate chamber music performances under the "TSO Up Close" series and organizes festivals featuring student-composed works performed by small ensembles, expanding access to diverse musical formats and supporting emerging composers.
- Present chamber music and small ensemble performancesHosts intimate chamber music concerts under the "TSO Up Close" series and organizes festivals featuring small ensembles, including performances of original student compositions, providing accessible and innovative musical experiences in more informal settings.
- Present chamber music performancesPresents "TSO Up Close" chamber music performances, offering intimate musical experiences.
- Present chamber music performancesPresents "TSO Up Close" chamber music performances, offering intimate musical experiences.
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School-Based Music Education Outreach 3 activities
- Provide educational and family-friendly concertsOffers educational outreach through family-friendly concerts designed for young audiences, such as performances by the percussion ensemble, to engage children and introduce them to orchestral music.
- Provide music education and outreachLeads innovative outreach activities and education projects, including family-friendly educational concerts for young audiences and a festival showcasing original compositions by student composers.
- Provide music education and outreachLeads innovative outreach activities and education projects, including family-friendly educational concerts for young audiences and a festival showcasing original compositions by student composers.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 2 activities
- Expand repertoire through inclusion of diverse and underrepresented composersDevelops concert programs that incorporate works by lesser-known South American composers and other underrepresented voices, broadening the orchestral repertoire and promoting cultural diversity in programming.
- Expand repertoire through innovation and commissionsDevelops new concert programming by incorporating lesser-known composers (e.g., South American repertoire) and commissioning original works, supporting artistic innovation and diversity in orchestral music.
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Arts Event Ticketing & Access Programs 1 activity
- Operate public box office servicesManages and operates a public-facing box office with regular business hours (Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM) to support ticket sales and audience access to performances.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Deliver educational and family-friendly music programsHosts family-friendly concerts designed for young audiences, featuring the orchestra’s percussion ensemble and other educational formats to engage children and introduce them to classical and contemporary music.
- Lead outreach, education, and new music initiativesLeads innovative outreach activities, education projects, and commissions of new musical works to expand audience engagement and support contemporary composition within the orchestral tradition.
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financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$6.50M
Contributions & grants$4.95M76%
Program service revenue$1.40M22%
Investment income$128K2%
Other revenue$20K
expenses
Total expenses$4.45M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$2.75M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$15.43M
Cash$1.50M
Investments$5.59M
Liabilities$1.48M
Net assets$13.95M
Liquid reserves19.1 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +31.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Sivert | Past Interim PresidentCEO | 40 | $87K |
| Paul Meecham | President & CEO | 40 | $84K |
| Nadgegzda Zahn | Past VP of Finance | 40 | $40K |
| Paula Egan | VP of Finance | 40 | $31K |
| Robert Chamberlain | Ex-Officio | 10 | $14K |
| Carlie Rigg | Ex-Officio | 10 | $4K |
| Michael Becker | Ex-Officio | 10 | $3K |
board members · 18
- Carol Des Cognets — Trustee
- Cecile Follansbee — Trustee
- Coppelia Samaha — Trustee
- David Gilbert — Secretary
- Gretchen Schar — Former Treasurer
- Gwen Powell — Trustee
- Heather Morton — Trustee
- James Schwab — Trustee
- Jan Konstanty — Treasurer
- Jeannette Segel — Trustee
- Jim Lindheim — Former Board Chair
- John Hildebrand — Trustee
- Karen Bahnick — Trustee
- Michael Anderson — Trustee
- Mike Bylsma — Trustee
- Minna Shah — Trustee
- Norma Ancona — Ex-Officio
- Patricia Schwabe — Trustee
relationships · 1
who they work with
- Disney Concerts Partner — Licensed by Disney Concerts to perform the Star Wars film score live.