Program TPO Spring/Summer 2024

WELCOME to the POPS

Dear Friends of the Pops,

Welcome to the 69th spring season of Music Under the Stars ™ with the wonderful Tucson Pops Orchestra under the leadership of Maestro Khris Dodge! I am beyond thrilled to be the new president of this amazing organization. We are truly blessed to have the most talented artists in the region perform for us throughout the year who are dedicated to providing the highest quality musical entertainment for us all.

This season we celebrate our mothers, our planet, and the beauty of all that surrounds us in the land of the free and home of the brave. You won’t want to miss one moment of the three great evenings we have planned for you. Bring your friends and family and enjoy great music, great eats from the Food Truck Roundup, and a cold brew from our new Beer Garden. I look forward to seeing you there.

Tami Chaffee

Tami Chaffee President, Board of Directors Tucson Pops Orchestra

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tamara Chaffee President

Andy Bade Vice President

Jen Garcia Secretary

Michael Fan Concertmaster

Caleb Fernandez

Norma Gentry

Lawrence Lee

Christina Luis

Gloria Roberts

Frank Watson

JoAnna Westcott Past President

László Veres Conductor Emeritus

TEAM

CONDUCTOR, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Khris Dodge

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Taya Pocock

TayaPocock@tucsonpops.org

LIBRARIAN

Peyton Kerley

TUCSON PARKS & RECREATION STAFF

Director................................Lara Hamwey Deputy Director.......................Mike Hayes Deputy Director.....................Greg Jackson Administrator.................Glenna Overstreet

Special Events Administrator.................Stephanie Brooks

Parks & Recreation

Superintendents...................Dean Hoskin

Aaron Sanchez

Recreation Program Manager..........................Dawnee Moreno

Special Event Coordinators.......Dani Alkola Michael Hayes

Recreation Supervisor, Special Events and Sports...........Abraham Montijo

Fair Coordinator.....................Susan Orrico

TECHNICAL AND EVENTS CREW

Michael T. Anderson............Stage Manager

Nehemiah Draper..............Audio Technician

Elizabeth Hardy.............Lighting Technician

Karima Walker..........................Stagehand

Michael Barnett........................Stagehand

Jorge Pimental.........................Stagehand

ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR & MUSIC DIRECTOR 2024

Khris Dodge is a versatile musician and educator with over 30 years of experience in the Tucson arts community. He is proficient in piano and percussion, has arranged hundreds of charts for single instruments and symphony orchestras, and is a prolific composer of original pieces. Currently he not only serves as the Conductor and Music Director for the Tucson Pops Orchestra, but is also the Executive Director of the Tucson Jazz Festival and owns a full-scale production company, Khris Dodge Entertainment.

Dodge spent 20 years with the Arizona Opera as the Principal Percussionist and Orchestra Manager. He has played keyboard for several Broadway National Tours, including Wicked, The Book of Morman, and Jersey Boys. He has also music-directed over 30 musicals locally and internationally, and has performed at the Sedona Film Festival, Musical Instrument Museum, Austin Cabaret Theatre, and New York’s Metropolitan Room. Khris arranged and conducted Hot Stuff: A Symphonic Tribute to Donna Summer, which premiered in 2019.

Khris Dodge earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Percussion Performance from the University of Arizona, where he studied under Gary Cook and received jazz piano instruction from Jeff Haskell.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS™

May 12, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.

DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park

Khris Dodge, Music Director/Conductor and

THE TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA

Guest Artist: Gabriel Ayala

PROGRAM

Festive Overture ………………………………....……. Dimitri Shostakovich

“Airs de dance”……….........................…................….……. Léo Delibes

Gymnopedie no. 2 ….........................…… Eric Satie, arr. Khris Dodge

Cavatina from The Deer Hunter …………. Stanley Meyers, arr. Khris Dodge

Baile de la Cubana ” ……….…………….……Gabriel Ayala, arr. Khris Dodge

Gabriel Ayala, Guitar

INTERMISSION

“Polonaise from Christmas Eve” …..................….… N.Rimsky-Korsakov

“Rainorama” …………....…..........…….. Lord Kitchener, arr. Jeanine Remy

Jeanine Remy, Tenor Steel Pan

“Adagio” …………............……..……Albinoni/Giazotto, arr. Khris Dodge“ 12-19” …………….....................….. Gabriel Ayala, arr. Khris. Dodge

“Sewa Annia” ………….…….……….. Gabriel Ayala, arr. Khris. Dodge

Gabriel Ayala, Guitar

Gabriel Ayala

A member of the Yaqui people of southern Arizona, Gabriel Ayala is at the forefront of a new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. He earned a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Arizona in 1997, has taught at all educational levels from elementary through college, and serves as a competition adjudicator. Although Gabriel truly enjoys being a teacher, his busy touring schedule allows him to only teach in masterclass settings.

Ayala performs regularly throughout the United States and has appeared at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Museum for the American Indian, and Oscar Meyer Theater in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2010, Gabriel was honored to perform at the Musical Instrument Museum in a series called “Guitar Masters”. He has been recognized by the former State of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, former Director of Homeland Security, for his musical achievements. In addition, he has also been honored as the Artist of the Month for the Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce (IICOC). Not only is Gabriel recognized locally and in the United States, but has had the opportunity to be the featured performer at the “Festival Internacional de la Guitarra Academica” in Venezuela with Performances in Caracas, Guarenas, Guatire, and on National Public Television throughout Venezuela.

Gabriel was selected as one of ten musicians featured in “Native Musicians in the Groove” highlighting stories of musicians in their struggles while persevering with a career in music. He also has been featured in several media publications such as “Native Peoples”, “Indian Country Today”, “SAY Magazine” (Canadian and United States Editions), “Spirit of the Southwest” (German Publication), “Native America Calling”, “Canadian Broadcasting Corporation” and numerous others.

May 19, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.

DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park

Khris Dodge, Music Director/Conductor and

THE TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA

Guest Artists: Ballet Tucson, Saguaro City Music Theatre and The Invisible Theatre

PROGRAM

“Sunrise in Napoli”……….......…..............………….. Frankie Carle/Al Avola

“The Swan” ....................................................….... Camille Saint-Säens

“Baby Elephant Walk” ...….........………… Henry Mancini, arr. Khris Dodge

Ballet Tucson World Premiere

“Clair de Lune”.………………..…….……….Claude Debussy, arr. Khris Dodge

Margaret Mullins, Choreographer

Dancers: Lauren Vogel and August Hartung

Marie Sierra, piano

Ballet Tucson World Premiere Spring-time Swing

Three Preludes….…….…....…….………. George Gershwin, arr. Khris Dodge

Danielle Cesanek, choreographer

Dancers: Emma Greenawalt, August Hartung, Darcey Lynn, Jessica Lynn, Sally Megargee, Hannah Smith, and Lauren Vogel

INTERMISSION

“Into the Storm”….…….…........................…….Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Saguaro City Music Theatre

World Premier, from the musical, Voyagers

Cape Canaveral Day/ Goodnight Moonlight...........................Cameron Hood, arr. James Olmstead

Vocalists: James Kelley Carroll & Samantha Beemer Cameron Hood, guitar

“What the World Needs Now”…........…….……….....…….Burt Bacharach “Imagine”/”What a Wonderful World”.........….John Lennon / Bob Thiele & George Weiss, arr. Khris Dodge

The Invisible Theatre

“There’s No Business Like Show Business”…....................................Irving Berlin, arr. Khris Dodge

Susan Claassen, guest conductor Katherine Byrnes, vocals

Ballet Tucson www.ballettucson.org

Experience an exhilarating new season of dance!

Saguaro City Music Theatre www.saguarocity.org

Top-tier professional productions and all-inclusive art education.

The Invisible Theatre www.invisibletheatre.org

“Vision is the art of seeing things invsible!”

Flam Chen www.flamchen.com

Creating, performing, and touring new circus and fire theater since 1994

At the May 19th Concert, be sure to visit the

Nature conservancy and animal welfare groups from our Southern Arizona community including:

Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection www.sonorandesert.org

The Coalition’s mission is to protect the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. Through science-based advocacy, education, and collaboration, we proactively protect and restore Sonoran Desert habitat and wildlife linkages and defend against threats from short-sighted development.

Reid Park Zoo

www.reidparkzoo.org

The Zoo has been a local favorite for generations. We invite you to visit this wild oasis with over 250 animals from around the world. Take a ride on the Cox Wildlife Carousel and the Reid Park Zoo Railway, venture behind-the-scenes for a once in a lifetime tour, get up close to your favorite animals during daily presentations and keeper chats, enjoy an unforgettable experience as you feed a giraffe, and so much more!

Cooper Center for Environmental Learning www.coopercenter.arizona.edu

Our mission is to increase ecological understandings and deepen feelings for nature. We do this by providing hands-on, researchbased programs in science and earth education, by creating lifelong memories, and by inspiring learners of all ages to live more lightly and sustainably on the Earth. We offer half-day, fullday, overnight and multi-night educational stays for students.

Arizona Trail Association

www.aztrail.org

‘The Arizona Trail Association (ATA) is the nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote, and sustain the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) as a unique encounter with the natural environment. The AZT is a bountiful resource. From picnics at trailheads to long-distance hikes and volunteer trail work events, the trail has something for everyone. We hope to see ya out there!’.

The Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank

www.saafb.org

The Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pet owners in need by providing them with pet food and supplies. Their mission is to prevent pet surrender and homelessness due to financial hardships, ensuring that pets and their families can stay together and thrive. Through donations and community partnerships, they strive to make a positive impact on the well-being of animals and families in Southern Arizona. www.saafb.org

...and more!

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS™

May 28, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.

DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park Khris Dodge, Music Director/Conductor and

THE TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA

Memorial Day Concert PROGRAM

Davis-Monthan AFB Honor Guard Presentation of Colors

“Taps”…................................................................................. Traditional “The Star Spangled Banner” ….….…… John Stafford Smith/Francis Scott Key

“Light Cavalry Overture”………..……........…………….……Franz Von Suppé “The Stars and Stripes Forever”…....………..........….……John Phillip Sousa

“Americana” ……………................................….…………… Luigi Zaninelli “Buffalo Soldier”……......................……….…. Bob Marley, arr. Khris Dodge “El Capitan”………...................……..………..........…… John Phillip Sousa

“Armed Forces Slaute”……………...........…………….……arr. Bob Lowden “Hymm to the Fallen”……........................……..........….……John Williams

“Lovely Day”……………........……..……….……Bill Withers, arr. Khris Dodge “Nimrod from the Enigma Variations”…………............….……Edward Elgar

“America the Beautiful”……Samuel Ward, arr. Carmen Dragon, Khris Dodge

Greg Curtis Wakefield Honor Guard We salute our fallen heroes

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 MUSIC UNDER THE STARSTM SPONSORS

IMPRESARIO SPONSORS

Linda and Franklin Fountain

Phillip & Phyllis Davis

Hund Revocable Living Trust

Edwin H. & Wanda Hayes Eichler

Steven & Marta Ketchel

Thomas DiMaggio

JoAnna Westcott

Jan Thalberg

Patty Krivel

Long Realty Companies

CONDUCTOR CHAIR SPONSORS

KHRIS DODGE, CONDUCTOR

Tom Jensen and Amanda Jensen Doss

Jan and Frank Ramirez

Dennis & Margery Nemura

Vern and Deborah Hartz

Janet Gardes

David Cohen

Robyn Schwager

Patty Trujillo

Sherry & Stephen Weiss

Brenda Kreitzberg

Roberta Miller

Linda Koester

Lynn B Gerald

Mr. David Friggle

Steven & Teresa Jarrett

Doug Holland

Edith Bailey

Jeffrey S. Ronstadt

Jan Konstanty & Patricia Wallace

Rudy Mathews

Barbara Schreiner

Paula J. Van Ness

VIRTUOSO SPONSORS

Tom Jensen and Amanda

Jensen Doss

Adrienne Utley

Joan Epstein

Jim Click Automotive Team

Barbara Lamb

Marlykay & Gian Morelli

Thomas & Marilyn Maher

Marlykay & Gian Morelli

Kenneth & Jennifer Bosma

MUSICIANS AND MUSICIAN CHAIR SPONSORS

VIOLIN 1

Michael Fan, Concertmaster

Edwin H. Wanda Hayes Eichler

Joe & Fran Bettinger

Jennifer Goff

Ivan English – in Honor of Macal English

Emily Nolan

Michaelette Mortensen – In Honor of Sally A. Peltier

Rollin Medcalf

Jon Konstanty & Patricia Wallace –In Honor of JoAnna Westcott

Moria Hagerlin

Jo Riester – In Honor of Charles Riester’s Birthday

Wynne Rife

Sylvia Flagg

Rosemarie Todaro

Sheri Butman

Brynne Gallup

Carol Johnson

Laura Hourt

Earlene Ridge

Clare Truss

Robert Olson

Ziqian Ye

Patricia Reed Watrous

VIOLIN 2

David Rife

Linda and Franklin Fountain

Callie Hutchison

Oscar & Renie Lenning

Holly Schurr

Jo Riester

Jose Moore

Dan & Jennifer Foreman

Emmy Tisdale

Carlos & Sally Huerta

Cayce Miners

Marti Wilburn

Larissa Sah

Vern & Rita Petterson

Alina Taylor

Joann Franks

Angie Valencia

Andy & Vicky Sherman

Carissa Powe

Alice Close

VIOLA

Rebecca McKee

Janet Gardes

Sarah Bromberg

Tom Jensen and Amanda Jensen Doss – In Memory of Claudia Jensen

Raphael Lizama

Tom & Sandy Simester

Jason Sah

Drew & Gloria Newton

Gretchen Hall

Mary Ann Ahrens

Gabby Cioca

Donald & Ruth Myers

Candy Amato

Ben Silverman

Samuel Rodriguez

Lynn Davis

Rose Todaro

Thomas DiMaggio

CELLO

MaryFrances DiBartolo

Janie Towne

Madeleine Guillaumot

Vern & Deborah Hartz

Bella Schwerin

Robyn Schwager

Melanie Yarger

Brenda Kreitzberg

Robert Marshall

Linda Koester

Andrew Nickles

David Friggle

Marion Turner

Doug Holland

BASS

Jeffrey G. Holsen

Miles Felton

Jason Roederer

RL & RS Cramer

FLUTE

Paula Redinger

John S. Trow

Sandy Schwoebel

Sherry & Stephen Weiss

Renee Bond

Ralph Hurd

Mindi Acosta

Stanley & Jodi Stachowiak

OBOE

Christian Hill

Toni & Tino Saccani

Mary Simon

Randall Wagner

Devin Gardner

Gary & Pat Becker

CLARINET

Daniel Becker

Angela Roll

Lucy Huestis

Robert Selby

Marco Rosano

David G. Philips

BASSOON

Jessica Campbell

Judy Atchison

Tamara Smith

Carter & Mary Becker

Cassandra Bendickson

Susan Thibodeaux

Ben Yingst

Shirley Ann Bordner

HORN

Kathy Demlow Murry Holmstrom

Mike Mesner

Donald & Shirley Younker

Brianna Reed

Willis & Virginia Horak

Craig Hunt

Gerald Rucks

Mary Monaghan

Madeleine Irell

Greg Campbell

David Vasquez

Jason Frogget

Gary & Carolun Lerch

TRUMPET

Jason Carder

Marty & Jane Jacobson

Alex Pesquiera

Susan Lane

Byron Yount

Ellen Ristow

Richard Candelaria

Lee & Carol Welborn

Rachel Clemmer

Dick Wadworth

TROMBONE

Rob Boone

Aileen Hanson

Jordan Robison

Morgen R. Forrest

Matt Varney

Pam Heinemann

TUBA

David Morgan

HARP

Rebecca Foreman

Julien & Sandal Caillet

PERCUSSION

Dave Walton

Trevor Barroero

TIMPANI

Paul Gibson

PATRONS

Judge Terry A. & Sharon R. Douglas

Judy Atchison

Cherry and Sharon Beauregard

Leon Bialkowski and Mia Gay

Lisa Bibbens

Brian & Susan Boylan

Judi and Skip Brauns

Joe Cache

Sherry Campbell

Patricia Reed Watrous

Julie Casciato

Dale and Desiree Christensen

Bill Copeland

Nikita Fernandes

Maria Figueroa

Norma Gentry

Jackie Jones

Jane and Paul Kriegshauser

Ms. Stephanie Koontz

Ed & Nancy Landes

Carolyn Lanser

Kathy Larason

Robert Larson

Oscar & Renie Lenning

Helen Montgomery

Gloria Morales

Michaelette Mortensen

Mike and Bea Mueller

A.C. “Chuck” Moyer II and Elaine A. Gokey

Marlene Nickolai

Gus & Karen Pachis

George & Maria Pappas

Michelle Perrin

Kathryn Peters

Angela Roll

Gerald Rucks

Tommy & Shelia Sanford

Evelyn Shapiro

Brigitte Spuhler

Beckie Torrey and Paul Hernandez

Nina Trasoff

Sharon Woodworth

Music Under the Stars™ History

The Tucson Pops Orchestra has been providing outdoor concerts to the Tucson and southern Arizona community since 1955. Founded by Georges DeMeester and Ernest Hoffman with 22 musicians, the orchestra has grown to 50 professional musicians and performs to audiences of up to 8,500. The orchestra performed in various locations around Tucson before settling in Reid Park’s DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center. In 1973, Charles “Bucky” Steele took over as conductor, followed by László Veres in 1997. In the spring of 2022, László Veres retired and passed the baton to Khris Dodge, who began his tenure in the fall of 2022. The Tucson Pops Orchestra continues to fulfill its mission of providing Music Under the Stars™ to the Tucson and southern Arizona communities with support from Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, corporate partners, and Friends of the Pops.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

St. Augustine Cathedral

JUNE 29 & 30, 2024

192 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

7:30pm

Come celebrate Independence Day with a stunning concert by The Tucson Pops at St. Augustine Cathedral in downtown Tucson! From the inspiring “Star-Spangled Banner” to the spirited rhythms of “America the Beautiful,” this performance will enchant you. Feel the passion and majesty of our live orchestra as they play beloved tunes honoring our nation’s history and freedoms. RSVP for these concerts today and save the dates!

Featuring a performance by the 32-member Tucson Pops Chorus

Under the direction of Matthew Holter and Chach Snook

HELP US SUSTAIN THE MUSIC!

Your generous donations can truly make a difference to our mission to bring high-quality concert series to the public.

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration of live music, regardless of their financial circumstances. By contributing what you can, you’ll be paying it forward for those who may not have the means to do the same. Your support will ensure that no one is turned away from our community-driven events. Every dollar counts, and your contribution will directly support our mission to make the magic of music accessible to everyone.

Give what you can and help us continue to create memorable concert experiences for our community. We are dependent on individual patrons like yourself, as support from sponsors only covers about 30% of the actual cost to provide these concerts. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Contributing Has Extra Benefits

At each concert those who give $25 or more receive one entry in the weekly raffle for each $25 contributed. Raffle prizes include gift cards to local restaurants and entertainment venues. Visit the booths at concerts, go to our website at tucsonpops.org, or donate using one of the following options: