Symphony cuts reach Green Valley

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra has made a series of cuts in the 2010-11 season that has left Green Valley supporters disappointed but not completely without access to classical concerts.

The Friends and Admirers of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, a Green Valley-based symphony support group, learned recently that TSO recitals in the area have been discontinued in 2010-11. Two previously scheduled recitals this season will be performed at the Community Performing Arts Center on Feb. 28 and April 25. FATSO is a sponsor of the Green Valley recitals.

“Some of the symphony members who have been performing here for years were moved to tears,” said Margaret Terrell, FATSO’s publicity chair. “The recitals were always well-received so it’s a real shame.”

Longtime FATSO member and former board member Helen Symes said she will miss the TSO recitals in Green Valley.

“It was so intimate — like they were performing in our own living rooms,” she said. “They became our friends and it was great to talk to them one-on-one about the music.”

FATSO’s membership chair Jane Bryant said the group will continue to attend TSO’s Classic Series for certain Friday evening performances. Members, who pay annual dues, still have access to discounted performance packages that include a meal and transportation to concerts.

TSO has made several changes next season:

The Classic Series will be reduced from nine to seven programs running October through April.

Friday evenings will continue and Sunday matinee performances will be offered for all seven programs.

Thursday evening performances will be discontinued.

Popular pre-concert talks by music director and conductor George Hanson on Friday evenings will continue and pre-concert talks have been added to all Sunday matinee performances.

The TSO Pops! Series will be reduced from five to four programs in December with the annual Holiday Spectacular, and will run through March.

Saturday evening and Sunday matinee performances will continue, but there will be no Friday evening performances.

The Moveable Musical Feasts and the Recital Series in Tucson and Green Valley are suspended.

The Green Valley shuttle to Thursday Classics and Sunday TSO Pops! will be discontinued.

The TSO Classic Series Special will continue unaffected.

The TSO Pops! Specials will also not be affected. There will be two performances of The MasterWorks Special, Handel’s Messiah at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 4.

There will be no change to the MasterWorks Chamber Orchestra Series which receives support from John P. and Helen S. Schaefer.

In making the announcement, TSO Executive Director Susan Franano said, “These changes are consistent with meeting TSO’s mission and public service obligation, with stabilizing our financial condition in recessionary times, and with maintaining a high quality TSO season — all for the benefit of our patrons and our community.”

Citing the economic downturn in the fourth quarter of 2008, Franano explained that it was too late then to make programming changes for the 2009-10 season, which will continue as planned through the final Classic Series performances April 22-23.

The strategic changes made by the TSO Board of Trustees are designed to make the most of the TSO’s reduced resources and still allow all patrons to continue to experience symphonic music. Many TSO subscribers will not be affected by these changes. Those subscribers who are affected have received phone calls from board members explaining the changes along with the TSO’s sincere commitment to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“Our priority always is to bring you the finest music at the highest level of performance possible and we are very confident you will find the 2010-11 season to be exciting, accessible and affordable,” Hanson said. “These adjustments will result in a positive outcome for everyone who loves the TSO and is dedicated to ensuring that the orchestra remains true to its mission to transform lives through music.”

In addition to changes in public performances, various TSO education programs have been cut back.

rford@gvnews.com

MORE INFO

Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N. Sixth Ave., Tucson

Box Office: (520) 882-8585

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

www.tucsonsymphony.org

FATSO info

Friends and Admirers of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (FATSO)

Annual dues, $35

TSO package for a discounted price includes pre-ordered TSO ticket, dinner and round-trip bus trip.

Call Jane Bryant, membership chair, 207-2277