Former Tucson Symphony Orchestra Conductor George Hanson has been named permanent guest conductor and artistic advisor of Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonora in Hermosillo, a role that will take him to the Mexican city six times next season.
Hanson, who has led the ensemble three times since his debut there in March 2015, also will act as an artistic advisor.
“My focus will be on projects that will build cultural bridges to my home state of Arizona,” Hanson said, adding that he already has begun working on several ideas.
Hanson is expected to return to Hermosillo in early July to conduct the orchestra in a concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Consulate.
Hanson led the TSO for 19 seasons before leaving in 2015. A month later, in April 2015, he was named director of the Tucson Desert Song Festival.
Since 2011, Hanson has been artistic director and conductor of the Sunriver Music Festival in Oregon. The summer festival, now in its 39th year, takes place Aug. 7-18.
