named programs · 4 · from sources
what they call their work
ARS Commissions
Commissioning and premiering new choral works from composers such as Vijay Singh, Melinda Bargreen, and ARS members, including pieces for major anniversaries
Act One Partnership
Annual performances for over 1,900 students from Tucson area Title 1 schools at the Berger Performing Arts Center through partnership with Act One
Community Concerts
Free concerts performed at community events and venues including the Tucson Museum of Art, San Xavier Mission, and Fox Theater, benefiting local nonprofits
Virtual Choir Concerts
Produced during the pandemic, including the Holiday 2020 and Spring 2021 concerts, enabling remote participation and global audience reach
activities · 8 groups
what they do
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Orchestral and Choral Concert Performances 14 activities
- Audio Recording ReleasesReleases audio recordings of past concert performances, including selections from holiday and spring concerts, to preserve and share their musical repertoire.
- Broadcast and Virtual PerformancesPresents virtual choir performances and concerts, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has its holiday concerts regularly broadcast by AZPM Classical 90.5, reaching a global audience.
- Choral Music PerformancesPerforms a diverse repertoire of choral music, including new works, standard repertoire, Americana, jazz, contemporary pieces, and commissioned works, in various venues such as performance halls, churches, and museums. These performances aim to create resonant auditory experiences and foster community engagement.
- Choral performances for public and community audiencesProduces and presents high-quality choral concerts across Arizona and beyond, including annual holiday and spring programs, benefit concerts, and special events at venues such as churches, theaters, museums, and schools. Recent performances include "American Voices" (2026) and "Peace and Joy" (2025), with repertoire spanning classical, Americana, jazz, contemporary, and commissioned works.
- Concert RecordingsReleased audio recordings of various concerts, including holiday and themed performances, providing access to choral music for a wider audience through platforms like YouTube.
- Perform Choral ConcertsPerforms choral music in various venues, including performance halls, churches, and community events, presenting a diverse repertoire that includes new choral music, standard repertoire, Americana, jazz, contemporary pieces, and commissioned works. These performances aim to expand community engagement and create resonant auditory experiences for audiences.
- Perform Choral ConcertsPerforms choral music in various venues, including performance halls, churches, and community events, presenting a diverse repertoire that includes new choral music, standard repertoire, Americana, jazz, contemporary pieces, and commissioned works. These performances aim to expand community engagement and create resonant auditory experiences for audiences.
- Perform Choral ConcertsPerforms choral music in various venues, including performance halls, churches, and museums, presenting a diverse repertoire that includes new choral music, standard repertoire, Americana, jazz, contemporary pieces, and commissioned works. These performances aim to expand community engagement and create resonant auditory experiences for audiences.
- Produce and Distribute Choral RecordingsReleases audio recordings of past concerts and provides access to performances on YouTube, including virtual choir performances created during the pandemic, to reach a wider audience.
- Produce and Distribute Choral RecordingsCreates and releases audio recordings of past concerts and provides access to performances through online platforms like YouTube, including virtual choir performances during the pandemic.
- Produce and Distribute Choral RecordingsReleases audio recordings of past concert performances and provides access to performances on YouTube, making their choral music accessible to a wider audience.
- Virtual Choir PerformancesCreated virtual choir performances during the pandemic using video editing, which received positive reviews, allowing for continued engagement with audiences despite physical distancing.
- Virtual and Broadcast PerformancesCreates virtual choir performances using video editing, particularly during the pandemic, and provides access to performances on YouTube. The organization's holiday concerts are regularly broadcast by AZPM Classical 90.5, reaching a global audience.
- Virtual and recorded choral programmingProduces and shares virtual choir performances and audio recordings, including pandemic-era concerts that reached a global audience and a catalog of released recordings such as "Rejoice and Be Merry" (2019) and "The Seal Lullaby" (2016), available via YouTube and other platforms.
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Adult Community Choir & Ensemble Programs 6 activities
- Choir rehearsal and membership developmentConducts weekly rehearsals from late August through April/May each year and holds annual auditions in August, with occasional openings in January or May, to maintain and grow its ensemble of singers who prepare individually using provided recordings and videos.
- Choral Rehearsals and AuditionsHolds weekly rehearsals from late August through April/May each year, requiring singers to prepare individually. The organization conducts annual auditions in August, with additional auditions in January or May as needed to fill vacancies.
- Conduct Choral Rehearsals and AuditionsHolds weekly rehearsals from late August through April/May each year, requiring singers to prepare individually, and conducts annual auditions to maintain its membership.
- Maintain a Choral EnsembleOperates a choral ensemble that holds weekly rehearsals from late August through April/May, conducts annual auditions, and requires singers to prepare for rehearsals, fostering a close-knit community centered on shared vocal performance.
- Maintain a Choral EnsembleOperates a choral ensemble that holds weekly rehearsals from late August through April/May, requiring singers to prepare individually, and conducts annual auditions to maintain its membership and repertoire.
- Weekly RehearsalsHolds weekly rehearsals from late August through April/May each year, requiring singers to prepare for rehearsals using recordings and videos, fostering a close-knit choral community.
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Choral Touring & Performance Exchange 6 activities
- Collaborative and joint choral eventsHosts and participates in collaborative performances with other choirs, such as joint "Song Share" concerts with the Kolscey Choir from Hungary in 1989, which were featured on CBS TV’s Sunday Morning.
- Conduct International and Domestic ToursUndertakes tours both internationally (e.g., France, Germany, Austria, Canada) and domestically (e.g., Four Corners tour), and hosts international choirs, to perform and collaborate with other musical groups.
- Conduct National and International Choral ToursUndertakes national and international tours, performing in various locations such as France, Germany, Austria, Canada, and across the Southwestern United States, and hosts international choirs for joint performances.
- Domestic and international performance toursConducts regional, national, and international tours, including performances at Expo '86 in Vancouver, a Four Corners tour in 1994, and a 1985 tour to Strasbourg, France, Germany, and Austria for Europa Cantat 9.
- International and Domestic Choral ToursUndertakes tours both internationally (e.g., France, Germany, Austria, Canada) and domestically (e.g., New Mexico, Colorado, Washington), performing and collaborating with other choirs.
- National and International ToursUndertakes national and international tours, including performances in Europe (Strasbourg, Germany, Austria), Canada (Vancouver, Victoria), and various U.S. states (New Mexico, Colorado, Washington), often involving joint concerts with other choirs and premieres of commissioned works.
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School-Based Music Education Outreach 3 activities
- Choral education and student engagement programsEngages students through school-linked performances, presenting concerts to over 1,900 students from Tucson area Title 1 schools at the Berger Performing Arts Center, expanding access to choral music for youth audiences.
- Educational Outreach ConcertsPresents concerts to students, including over 1,900 students from Tucson area Title 1 schools at the Berger Performing Arts Center, to provide access to choral music education.
- Provide Choral Music Education and OutreachPresents concerts to students from Tucson area Title 1 schools, providing access to choral music and fostering appreciation for the art form.
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Historic Mission Restoration Fundraising 2 activities
- Annual holiday concerts at Mission San Xavier del BacHosts an annual tradition of Christmas concerts at Mission San Xavier del Bac, begun in 1985, which raised over $10,000 for mission restoration by 2000.
- Fundraising Concerts for Mission RestorationInitiated an annual tradition of Christmas concerts at Mission San Xavier del Bac, raising over $10,000 for mission restoration through 2000.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissioning and premiering new choral worksCommissions and premieres original choral compositions, such as the first three movements of "Desert Songs" at the Animas Music Festival in 2001 and commissioned pieces featured in the "Voices at an Exhibition" concert.
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Community Engagement & Volunteer Mobilization 1 activity
- Community Engagement EventsParticipates in community events and benefit concerts, such as the ‘Music for the Soul’ concerts and holiday events, to support local organizations and foster community connections.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Choral PerformancesPerforms choral music in various venues, including performance halls and community events, to engage audiences and foster emotional connections. The choir has presented concerts to over 1,900 students and has performed at notable events such as the dedication of the University of Arizona’s Helen S. Schaefer Poetry Center.
- Provide Choral Education and OutreachPresents concerts and educational programs to students, including those from Tucson area Title 1 schools, to foster appreciation for choral music.
- Provide Choral Education and OutreachPresents concerts and educational programs to students, including those from Title 1 schools, to foster appreciation for choral music and expand community engagement.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$52K
Contributions & grants$37K72%
Program service revenue$11K21%
Investment income$1K2%
Other revenue$75
expenses
Total expenses$60K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$23K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$157K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$156K
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -21.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYAN PHILLIPS | MUSIC DIRECTOR | 10 | $21K |
board members · 5
- CHRIS WOOLF — Director
- DIANE THOMAS — Director
- JAN STURGES — Director
- KEN ROSENBLATT — Director
- NANCY WHEELER — Director
relationships · 31
who they work with
- AZPM Classical 90.5 Partner — Has its holiday concerts regularly broadcast as part of AZPM Classical 90.5's Community Concert Series.
- Academy for Cancer Awareness Partner — Sponsors the Annual ‘Music and Memories’ concert where the group has performed
- Act One Partner — Partnered to engage students from underserved schools in arts learning opportunities.
- Act One Partner — Partners to engage students from underserved schools in arts learning opportunities and provide exposure to the arts.
- Act One Partner — Partners with Act One to provide performances for students from Tucson area Title 1 schools.
- Arizona Choral Arts Association Network — Member of the Arizona Choral Arts Association
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Partner — Performed at the dedication of the Harris Hawk Sculpture
- Barry Manilow Partner — Provided backup vocals for Barry Manilow’s Greatest Hits and Then Some concert.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson Partner — Performed a holiday concert for Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson.
- Carondelet Hospice Partner — Performed at their Holiday ‘Tree of Memories’ event
- Christ Church United Methodist Partner — Hosted "American Voices" concerts
- Christ Church United Methodist Partner — Hosted performances of "American Voices" on April 18 and 19, 2026.
- Interfaith Community Services Partner — Performed at benefit concerts for Interfaith Community Services.
- Interfaith Community Services Partner — Performed at their ‘Music for the Soul’ concerts at the Fox Theatre
- Kolscey Choir Partner — Hosted the Kolscey Choir from Debrecen, Hungary, for joint Song Share performances.
- Sonoran Bells Partner — Performed joint concerts with the Sonoran Bells.
- St. Mark Catholic Church Partner — Hosted "American Voices" concerts
- St. Mark Catholic Church Partner — Hosted a performance of "American Voices" on April 26, 2026.
- Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Partner — Honored Dr. Julian Ackerley of the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus at its 40th Anniversary Gala.
- Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Partner — Performed joint concerts with the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus.
- Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Partner — Special honoree at the 40th Anniversary Gala, conducted one of the pieces.
- Tucson Girls Chorus Partner — Honored Dr. Marcela Molina of the Tucson Girls Chorus at its 40th Anniversary Gala.
- Tucson Girls Chorus Partner — Special honoree at the 40th Anniversary Gala, conducted one of the pieces.
- Tucson Masterworks Chorale Partner — Performed joint concerts with the Tucson Masterworks Chorale.
- Tucson Museum of Art Partner — Performed at the Tucson Museum of Art “SundAZe Family Day.”
- Tucson Pops Orchestra Partner — Performed a Rodgers and Hammerstein concert with the Tucson Pops Orchestra.
- Tucson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Featured in TSO’s holiday and spring pops concerts before the TSO formed its own chorus.
- UA Faculty Artist Series Partner — Performed joint concerts with the UA Faculty Artist Series.
- University of Arizona Partner — Founded by a doctoral student from the University of Arizona and performed a gala concert at the university's Stevie Eller Dance Theatre.
- University of Arizona Partner — Performed at the dedication of the Helen S. Schaefer Poetry Center
+ 1 more