Dove of Peace continues New Year's Day Tucson tradition

If you put on an event year after year for, say, 22 years, that qualifies as a tradition.

And if that event so happens to fall on the very first day of those 22 years, well, that's a tradition with distinction.

On New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, Dove of Peace Lutheran Church will host its 22nd annual New Year's Day concert featuring Monsoon Brass.

As it has been for the 21 years before it, this year's concert is the first classical event of the new year.

There's that distinction we mentioned.

Monsoon Brass, comprised of musicians from True Concord Voices & Orchestra and Tucson Symphony Orchestra, will perform a program that incudes Schubert's "Ava Maria," Duke Ellington's "Caravan," Paul Dukas's "Fanfare" from "La Peri" and jazz composer Ray Henderson's "You're the Cream in My Coffee."

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The quintet — trumpeters Jason Carder and Betsy Bright, Michael Mesner on horn, trombonist Joey Muñoz and David Morgan on tuba — will throw in a few holiday gems including "Silent Night," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Feliz Navidada" and "Auld Lang Syne."

But the most interesting work on the program might just be from trumpeter Bright. The quintet is performing her "Western Suite," commissioned in 2021 by the Tucson Pops Orchestra to celebrate the Tucson Rodeo. Bright plays with the Pops.

The New Year's Day concert begins at 2 p.m. at Dove of Peace, 665 W. Roller Coaster Road. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to support Interfaith Community Services. 

The concert is part of the church's annual free concert series that supports local nonprofits.