On Sunday nights in spring, László Veres strikes up his band just as the sun dips behind the tree line at Reid Park.
The 100-degree day gives way to a modestly cooler evening made even more pleasant if you settle on a blanket in the cool grass. The closer you are to the ground, the cooler it becomes, which might explain the number of families spread out beneath an expanse of stars, a picnic supper plopped in the middle of their blanket and little kids dancing around with fistfuls of potato chips.
This is springtime, Tucson-style, when Veres and his Tucson Pops Orchestra take up Sunday night residence at Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.
The professional orchestra hosts Music Under the Stars series in the spring and fall — perfect opportunities to enjoy the best time of day, when the weather isn't so hot that you feel like a prisoner to air conditioning.
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There are many reasons to abandon your comfortable couch and TV reruns — or, worse, the advent of those summer reality shows — to experience music filtered through Mother Nature's magnificent acoustics. Perhaps the No. 1 reason is the cost: Admission is free, although Veres gladly accepts donations to offset costs.
Veres divides his weekends this time of year between his Pops Orchestra and his inspiring volunteer orchestra, Arizona Symphonic Winds. That 20-year-old group launches its 17th annual spring concert series on Saturday at Udall Park. The series runs at 7 p.m. Saturdays through June 17.
Veres is like a proud father who would never favor one child over another. But you get a sense talking with him that he's particularly enamored of his Winds.
"This is a volunteer organization, and they have many different professions," he explained. Many of them are "retired and they got their instruments out again and played. Some of them play very well."
Players range in age from early 20s to a couple of players in their 70s; Veres himself just turned 69.
"I have quite a few people who have been with me since Day 1," he said.
On a typical Saturday night, about 2,000 to 3,000 people will take in a Winds concert.
On Sunday nights, crowds at the Pops concerts can double that.
The biggest crowd usually shows up to the Pops' annual Mother's Day concert, which in the past has attracted as many as 10,000 people.
At both events, folks make themselves comfortable. They set up folding tables and chairs, bring along ice chests filled with drinks and snacks, and divide their attention between the music and those around them. Kids aren't afraid to be, well, kids — loud at times, restless and playful. And fellow audience members, even those without kids in tow, accept that children are part of the experience.
Bigger kids — those in their 20s and older — get in their kicks, as well, tossing a football or Frisbee at the back of the sprawling DeMeester lawn.
This year, Veres and his musicians will give the audience good reason to focus on the music. The Winds will host several guest conductors, including Gregg Hanson, the University of Arizona's bands director who who will lead a tribute to the late "Bear Down" composer Jack Lee on June 10.
Tucson Symphony Orchestra conductor George Hanson will take the baton to open the series on Saturday in a concert that showcases young musicians. Hanson will lead the performance of Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait"; Grayson Hirst of the Sons of Orpheus Male Choir will narrate the work.
Popular Tucson soprano Nancy Davis Booth will make her Winds debut at the season finale on June 17. She also closes out the Pops series on June 18, when she will perform a series of operatic arias and Gershwin tunes.
The Pops series also includes appearances by Sons of Orpheus Male Choir (June 4) and the 3 Royal Tenors from Denmark (June 11).
If classical music isn't your thing, the folks at Tucson's Rhythm & Roots Concert Series are hosting two springtime shows as part of the ninth annual Courtyard Concert Series at Old Town Artisans Downtown. The series kicks off Friday with the blues duo Paul Rishell and Annie Raines (Related story, Page 6). Austin singer-songwriter Slaid Cleaves and his band play June 8.
Quick Take
Arizona Symphonic Winds in concert
When: 7 p.m. Saturdays through June 17
Where: Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
Admission: Free
Details: 399-1433
The season:
Saturday: "Featuring Future Stars," with Willcox High School vocalist Rebekah Kibler and Catalina Foothills High School clarinetist Daniel Veres. Special guest conductor George Hanson of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra will lead the orchestra in Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," with Grayson Hirst narrating.
June 3: Professional harpist Christine Vivona and flutist Sandy Schwoebel will perform Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp.
June 10: "Tribute to Jack Lee," the late University of Arizona band director. UA bands director Gregg Hanson will guest conduct part of the concert of Lee's music, which includes the UA theme song "Bear Down."
June 17: "An Evening with Nancy," featuring the nationally known soprano Nancy Davis Booth. Selections include arias and Broadway tunes.
Tucson Pops Orchestra in concert
When: 7 p.m. Sundays through June 18
Where: DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center (Main Stages map, Page 29)
Admission: Free
Details: 722-5853
The season:
Sunday: "John Philip Sousa at the Park" with oboist William Balentine and trumpet player Michael Walk as featured soloists. Program also includes local composer Phil Carlin's "A Marine Called Rodriguez."
June 4: Sons of Orpheus Male Choir joins the orchestra in Donizetti's "Soldier's Chorus" from "The Daughter of the Regiment"; the "Prisoner's Chorus" from "Fidelio"; and other popular selections.
June 11: The 3 Royal Tenors from Denmark perform Gershwin's "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess."
June 18: Soprano Nancy Davis Booth closes the series with operatic arias and Gershwin tunes.
Rhythm & Roots 9th Annual Courtyard Concert Series
When: Friday and June 8
Where: Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Ave., Downtown
Details: Call 297-9133
The series:
Friday: Paul Rishell and Annie Raines (Related story, Page 6)
June 8: Slaid Cleaves Band. Austin singer/songwriter blends his folk tradition with country sensibilities in crafting character-driven songs that will mesmerize you, beguile you and haunt you. 7:30 p.m. $15 advance, $17 at the door
