Download 2009/10 School Based Programs Information (PDF)

“In order for children to wish to be excellent, they need to see and hear excellence.  Your programs provide that opportunity.”
—Fine Arts teacher, Redeemer Lutheran School

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s school based programs reach more than 25,500 students and teachers each year.  Designed for students in preschool through high school, TSO musicians work with students and teachers to bring music in to the classroom, increasing knowledge and understanding of music and musical concepts, while building cognitive skills.  Teachers receive curriculum materials that make up TSO’s nationally recognized “Making Music Mine” curriculum, designed for each grade level.

Making Music Mine Curriculum (MMM) is an inquiry based curriculum, noted for its critical thinking approach.  MMM is designed for the general classroom teacher, although music educators will find many useful tools and activities in this curriculum.  The MMM curriculum is aligned with the Arizona State Standards for Music and also uses music to aid students in making connections to other curricula.  

Learn more about TSO’s Making Music Mine Curriculum.

Music in the Schools & Young People’s Concerts

Music in the Schools (MIS) is designed for 3^rd – 5^th grade classrooms and reaches approximately 10, 500 students and teachers throughout the school year.  42 participating schools receive four different TSO ensemble visits, Making Music Mine curriculum for all participating teachers and seats to the full orchestra Young People’s Concert.  When combined, these five concerts provide a continuum of study, exploring an educational theme and addressing state arts standards.

Young People’s Concerts (YPC) are designed for 3^rd – 8^th grade students and take place in late spring.  YPC are held in downtown Tucson at the Tucson Convention Center Music Hall and reach more than 17,000 students and teachers from across southern Arizona.  All participating teachers receive Making Music Mine curriculum for use in their classrooms throughout the year to prepare students for the concerts.   

Learn more about Music in the Schools and Young People’s Concerts.

KinderKonzerts! bring Kindergarten – 2^nd grade classes to the Tucson Symphony Center in late spring for a 45 minute performance by the TSO Chamber Orchestra.  Reaching more than 3,300 students and teachers, the highlight of the performance is a musical enactment of a story by local author Susan Lowell, featuring the TSO String Quartet.  This musical retelling, along with the rest of the program, explores how “Music Tells a Story.”  Participating teachers receive the TSO’s Making Music Mine curriculum to prepare students for the KinderKonzert.

Learn more about the KinderKonzerts! program.

Preschool Concerts is an introduction to music and the instruments of the orchestra, designed specifically for preschool – 1^st grade classes.  Reaching more than 2,100 students and teachers annually, the TSO Flute-Viola-Harp Trio visits schools with an interactive 30 minute performance.  Teachers receive curriculum materials to use with their students throughout the school year.  

Learn more about the Preschool Concerts program.

TSO’s Clinics & Workshops are designed for middle and high school bands and orchestras.  TSO ensembles work with band and orchestra directors to present a program that caters to the needs and abilities of their students.  Clinics and workshops are scheduled throughout the school year and range in focus from fundamentals of music, to technique, ensemble playing and practice methods.  

Learn more about TSO clinics and workshops.

For more information of the TSO’s school based programs, please contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , Education Programs Manager at (520) 792 – 9155 x111.