Fall is not quite here, if you judge the change of seasons by the change of temperatures.
But don’t tell the talented musicians with László Veres’s twin orchestras; the volunteer Arizona Symphonic Winds and the professional Tucson Pops Orchestras are in full fall mode.
The groups, led by the tireless Maestro Veres, kick off their fall park concert series this weekend. Symphonic Winds plays at Udall Park’s László Veres Amphitheater on the east side while Tucson Pops plays at midtown’s Reid Park DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center. Catch the Winds on Saturday nights through Oct. 1, the Pops on Sundays through Sept. 25, both starting at 7 p.m.
The Winds celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, performing a variety of overtures, light classics and marches — sometimes with Veres donning his best John Philip Sousa outfit. The Pops, comprised largely of Tucson Symphony Orchestra moonlighters and University of Arizona students and faculty members, has been a Tucson treasure since 1955; Veres has been behind the baton 20 of those years.
Arizona Symphonic Winds
Sept. 10: “Americana,” an evening of brass music from Broadway to Sousa. The concert includes the world premier of “Pike’s Peak,” a piece composed for the Winds.
Sept. 17: “Clarinets on the Go,” putting the spotlight on members of the clarinet section: Rudy Rostash, Pat Montoya and Chauncey Roach. Program includes selections from “Flower Drum Song” and “The Pink Panther Meets R2D2.”
Sept. 24: “Sasha is back.” Tucson Symphony Orchestra Principal Flutist Alexander “Sasha” Lipay performs Chamenade’s “Concertino for Flute” by Chamenade. Also on the menu are Holst’s band classic “First Suite in E flat.” Program also includes selections from “Fiddler on the Roof” and Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm.”
Oct. 1: “Evening with Elena” featuring vocalist Elena Galbraith performing popular Italian songs “Mambo Italiano,” “Innamorata” and “Ciribiribin.” Program also includes “Hymn to the Highlands” and music of Bernstein and Elton John.
Tucson Pops Orchestra
Sept. 11: “9/11 Remembered,” includes John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” Nina Rosso’s “Il Silencio,” Beethoven’s Overture to “Egmont,” FW Meacham’s “American Patrol” and the “Massenet Meditation” featuring Pops Concertmaster Michael Fan.
Sept. 18: “George Howard.” Tucson jazz/blues bandleader George Howard joins the orchestra for a concert of works including classic pop hits “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher,” “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Let’s Stay Together.” The program also includes a 1980s flashback, John Williams “Star Wars” theme and Saint-Säens’ “Danse Macabre.”
Sept. 25: “Rillito River Band.” The popular Tucson band joins the orchestra for an evening of pop covers of songs by Linda Ronstadt, John Lennon/Paul McCartney, Don Henley, Cole Porter and Bob Seger. The program also includes Mozart’s Overture to “The Magic Flute,” selections from Cole Porter’s “Silk Stockings” and Washburn’s “Scottish Fantasy.”
Note: The Pops ends each of their concerts with “America the Beautiful.”
