Letter from the Executive Director - Fall 2018

Fall is a series of transitions, from the scorching summer to the warm Tucson fall. It’s time for back to school, Jewish New Year and so many new beginnings. For my family this year presents a big transition, our oldest just starting kindergarten. It is a bitter- sweet time. As Sheldon Harnick, the brilliant lyrist, wrote in Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly fly the years” Over the next year, the Tucson Pops will see its own transition as we begin the search for a new conductor when Maestro Veres retires. He’s not leaving anytime soon but the process to fill his very big shoes will not be simple and will take time. Over this season and next, conductors who are interested in the position will take to the stage as part of the vetting process. Two of them will appear on the first two Sundays of the 2018 Fall Season. While we are looking forward to see where this search ends, we will also miss Maestro Veres beyond words.

The Tucson Pops exists because of you, our dedicated audience and Friends of the Pops. We would like to have your participation in the selection process. Over the next three Sundays there will be surveys located at both booths for you to give us your feedback on the two guest conductors you will see this month. The form will also be available on our website. All surveys are anonymous but feel free to call or email me if you have any questions. Thank you for being here for 64 wonderful years Music Under the Stars™!

Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Director, Tucson Pops Orchestra