Founded in 1975, the Civic Orchestra of Tucson is a 75-piece volunteer community orchestra presenting free concerts to residents of Tucson and Southern Arizona. In 2018 we welcomed Charles Bontrager to the podium, just the third Music Director in the 43-year history of the orchestra. Our free concerts enrich the cultural life of the greater Tucson area; they’re easily accessible to the elderly and physically challenged. Soloists are well-known musicians from Tucson and across the country as well as the winners of our Young Artists' Competition. Each year we partner with the young dancers from Dancing in the Streets Arizona by providing live orchestral music for one of their productions. Our Pops concerts are filled with familiar tunes that all ages will enjoy. The COT is dedicated to encouraging young musicians through innovative educational programs. At our Instrument Petting Zoos, children enjoy a hands-on musical experience as they hold and play a variety of instruments. Visit www.cotmusic.org/youth-programs/petting-zoo for more information. COT also plays a critical role in cultivating local and statewide musical talent by sponsoring an annual Young Artists' Competition. Learn more about the winners at www.cotmusic.org/yac. Volunteer musicians interested in joining the Civic Orchestra of Tucson are invited to inquire via our website at: www.cotmusic.org/auditions The Civic Orchestra of Tucson is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and welcomes tax-deductible donations of any size from individuals or businesses. For more information, please visit: www.cotmusic.org/support-cot Our 2018-2019 season is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.