George Hanson, Director of the Tucson Desert Song Festival, discusses plans to celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s impact on American music on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

 

 

 

George Hanson’s 2016 conducting schedule brought debuts with the Chicago Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice and Pacific Symphony. He capped a 20-year relationship with the Tucson Symphony, returning as Music Director Emeritus to conduct Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. His many highlights during his two decades with TSO include releasing the orchestra’s first-ever CD to international acclaim, and receiving the Certificate of Congressional Special Recognition from Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Commitments to education and community outreach have been hallmarks of Hanson’s time in Tucson.

 

Along with his duties as TDSF Festival Director, a post he has held since 2015, Hanson added an appointment as Artistic Advisor/Permanent Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Filarmonica de Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico. He continues as Music Director of the Sunriver Music Festival in Oregon.

 

Hanson’s extensive opera conducting experience includes engagements with Berlin’s Komische Oper, Vienna’s Kammeroper, the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest and six seasons as General Music Director of the Wuppertal Opera in Germany, where he conducted and supervised 10 productions each season. North American opera engagements include Arizona Opera and Minnesota Opera.

 

Educated at Indiana University, the Vienna Hochschule für Musik and the Curtis Institute, Hanson served as assistant to Leonard Bernstein, and has shared the stage with Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman and Lang Lang.

PRESIDENT CLIFF opened the meeting right on time.  Past President BILL HARLOW gave the inspiration and KIMBERLY ELY led us in the pledge and song accompanied by Maestro GARY HIRSCH on the piano – a rousing rendition of “You’re A Grand Ole Flag” DJ JOHN introduced guests and visiting Rotarians. We have four Birthday Rotarians: Happy Birthday ALLYN BULZOMI, MIKE ORCUTT, DAVE GALLAHER, and ROB LAMASTER.

 

ART ALLIS introduced our newest member TOM MOULTON from the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance.  Welcome TOM!!

 

Continuing TCCS Sponsor Recognitions, PAT ZUMBUSCH introduced Past President JONI CONDIT representing La Posada and their newest amazing community Nakoma Sky. JONI encouraged everyone to give till it hurts. Proving turnabout is fair play, CINDY GODWIN recognized Wellspring Financial represented by PAT ZUMBUSCH.

 

SAA DALE BERG took us through the raffle and then promptly fined CHAR HARRIS for an errant phone ring. JAY ZUCKER had a Happy Jackson in honor of his recent marriage and told the story of proposing with the assistance of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Choir. PRESIDENT CLIFF reminded us to review the Bylaws on Website (Vote 11/1/17 Meeting), to attend the District Conference 10/13-10/15 and our Monthly Social Mixer on 10/26. Finally, PRESIDENT CLIFF and Past President and Car Show Chairman JIM MURPHY presented Car Show Tickets to the wonderful Doubletree Staff, who take great care of us all year round.

 

Last year’s Chairman STEVE PICKERING introduced Past President JIM MURPHY, this year’s Car Show Chair. Today’s program: 11th Annual TCCS Where We’ve Been; Where We Are, And Where We Are Going". JIM recognized all the members of the Strategic Leadership and Tactical Leadership Teams. The great news: car entries are sold out, show sponsorship revenues are up, and the Friday Night Auction is filled. The not so good news: we all need to sell, sell, sell tickets and volunteer the day of the show! As Chairman JIM put it, it’s crunch time!

 

Chairman JIM signed a book for the Library “One Day” and PRESIDENT CLIFF gave a toast in anticipation of an Excellent Eleventh Car Show.

 

The District Foundation Day will be held in Yuma, Arizona on Saturday, November 4th, 2017.  The Foundation Day committee has worked tirelessly to create a program that will enhance your knowledge of what The Rotary Foundation does to bring positive change to our local communities, as well as around the world.

 

Why is it worthwhile for you, and your club members, to take the time and expense to travel to Yuma for Foundation Day?  Participants will have an opportunity to meet with noteworthy Rotarians that will share their experiences and knowledge about how The Rotary Foundation, through its Annual Fund, has provided funds that have helped Rotary Clubs successfully complete service projects that have brought positive change to their communities (see attached flier).  Every Rotarian that participates in Foundation Day will benefit from what these VIP presenters share with them throughout this event.

 

There will be a program on polio survivors and Rotary's efforts to eliminate the threat of polio crippling another child.  The documentary film "Shot Felt Round the World" about the development of the polio vaccine will be shown to remind us why Rotary has worked so hard to eradicate polio.

 

A Recognition Social will be held following the Educational & Team Building program that will recognize Rotarians who have supported, and are continuing to support, our Foundation.

 

As an added bonus, Senior Annual Giving Officer Steven Solomon has offered to meet with club presidents and Foundation chairs on Friday, November 3rd to answer questions, assist, and provide guidance on issues related to the Foundation.

 

Rotarians interested in participating in Foundation Day can register online by visiting rotaryd5500.org and clicking on the All-Star Foundation Day "Register Here" button.  There will be an All-Star Foundation Day table at the House of Friendship hall during this week's District Conference in Tucson, so please stop by for information and have any questions answered.  You can also contact me at (928) 580-5992 and/or send a message to mrsuba@yahoo.com as well.

 

Cordially,

 

Mike Suba

Foundation Day Chair

 

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Southern Arizona Chapter will host its 29th annual National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon on Friday, November 17, 2017 at The Westin La Paloma. Registration is at 11:00 AM.  Luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.  Our Rotary Club will be honored at this luncheon and receive one of the five major awards. A film will also be shown that features our Rotary Club in the video. The  ticket cost of the event is $80.00 and a portion of that is tax deductible. We hope many of you will attend and represent the Club and show how supportive Rotary is of community engagement and service. Registration can be made on our website under "Upcoming Events" but your club account will not be billed for the luncheon. Money for your tickets will be collected by Ellie Patterson and checks should be made payable to "So. AZ AFP" (So. AZ Association of Fundraising Professionals).   We have four tables reserved and money needs to be turned in by October 27^th. This is such an honor for our Club. Thank you to former member, Cheryl House, who nominated us for this award.

How is Rotary aiding natural disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Florida, and Mexico?  Do you wish to contribute?  Visit Rotary International's website https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-helps-disaster-victims to learn more about RI's Donor Advised Funds due to the recent hurricanes and earthquakes.