In the spring of 1975, George Schwartz founded the Civic Orchestra of
Tucson (COT) so that he and his friends could play classical music together.
The early COT used Schwartz's large personal library as the main source
for their music. The group performed standard small orchestra literature
from Baroque to light opera. In 1980 Herschel Kreloff became the orchestra's
artistic and musical director, and the orchestra has grown to full symphonic
instrumentation. COT now performs several large symphonic works each
season.
In 1984, COT held its first Young Artists' Competition
for young Tucson-area musicians. The competition has become an annual
event and has expanded to three categories: winds and percussion, piano,
and strings. Each category is judged separately with both a junior and
a senior division. The competition offers students a good introduction
to the audition process and public performance. Winners gain public
exposure and are awarded cash prizes that are often applied toward further
musical studies. The event provides each entrant a unique learning experience,
and music teachers from both studios and schools applaud the orchestra
for this contribution to the young musicians. To date, COT has hosted
over fifty performances by high-school-age artists as well as performances
by several middle school and elementary winners. (Please click for information
on this year's competition.)
The Civic Orchestra of Tucson introduced the Musical Instrument Petting
Zoo to Tucson in 1995, after a member read of a similar program in the
Midwest. Children get a chance to have an up-close look at various orchestral
instruments, and to examine and actually play these instruments under
orchestra members' supervision. Parents have repeatedly conveyed their
surprise and pleasure after seeing their kids' obvious interest in this
activity, and many have inquired into music lessons.
