Dear Friends,
We’re thinking of you; we hope you’re thinking of us. All of us from Desert Voices hope that you are safe, in good health, and following the guidance of healthcare officials and scientists to protect yourselves and our community. These are uncertain times for all of us, and in this unprecedented situation, we want you to know that your chorus is very much alive and engaged, even as we remain physically distant, meeting and making music digitally. There aren’t words sufficient to express how grateful we are for your support over the years. We love you: you are the lifeblood of our choral family. We are all in this together, and together we will endure and emerge from this crisis stronger, more resolute, and committed to the wondrous work of fostering community through song. Our last in-person rehearsal was on March 11th, and we have suspended them indefinitely until we are assured by the medical community that it is safe for us to congregate in numbers large enough to produce a quality choral sound. Likewise, our spring concert “Light And Love” has been postponed until live performances are deemed safe for everyone to participate in and attend. We’re working on a virtual recording, so keep an eye out for an update! If you purchased tickets for our March concert (postponed to June, and now indefinitely), we haven’t forgotten you. We would like to offer three options regarding the tickets you’ve paid for:
Something you can do to help us while you’re shopping online - signing up with AmazonSmile. How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile? On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. To select Desert Voices, you will need to search and select “Tucson Metropolitan Community Chorus” - our former name. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. AmazonSmile will occasionally contact you about donation amounts disbursed to your chosen charity or about the program. We’d appreciate it, and it’s a painless way to support us during this crisis.
Fred Rogers had comforting advice for just such times: “Look to the helpers”. Amidst the uncertainty, the news, the numbers, the closures, the images from our hospitals, we can fight our fear by focusing on the helpers. So many are stepping up in ways big and small to ensure the safety and sanity of others. They’re making masks, creating entertaining videos, wearing crazy costumes to take the trash to the curb, and finding new ways to reach out to the isolated. They are all helpers and heroes, as are you, our devoted friends.
Again, to you, our audiences, our donors, our volunteers, and supporters of every kind, thank you. Stay tuned, and stay safe.
C. Scott Zimmerman
President, Desert Voices Board of Directors
For more information, please contact us at office@desertvoices.org
We’re thinking of you; we hope you’re thinking of us. All of us from Desert Voices hope that you are safe, in good health, and following the guidance of healthcare officials and scientists to protect yourselves and our community. These are uncertain times for all of us, and in this unprecedented situation, we want you to know that your chorus is very much alive and engaged, even as we remain physically distant, meeting and making music digitally. There aren’t words sufficient to express how grateful we are for your support over the years. We love you: you are the lifeblood of our choral family. We are all in this together, and together we will endure and emerge from this crisis stronger, more resolute, and committed to the wondrous work of fostering community through song. Our last in-person rehearsal was on March 11th, and we have suspended them indefinitely until we are assured by the medical community that it is safe for us to congregate in numbers large enough to produce a quality choral sound. Likewise, our spring concert “Light And Love” has been postponed until live performances are deemed safe for everyone to participate in and attend. We’re working on a virtual recording, so keep an eye out for an update! If you purchased tickets for our March concert (postponed to June, and now indefinitely), we haven’t forgotten you. We would like to offer three options regarding the tickets you’ve paid for:
- If you’re so inclined you can opt to roll your ticket dollars into a donation. Should you find yourself in such a generous position and would like a tax credit for your contribution please contact our office and we’ll be happy to provide you with that information.
- You may hold onto your tickets and we will honor them at our next performance, whenever that may be.
- If you’re in need of reimbursement we will gladly refund your purchase. Please contact our office or the chorus member who sold you your tickets. The Desert Voices office phone number is (520) 791-9662, or you can email us at desertvoicestucsonchorus@gmail.com.
Something you can do to help us while you’re shopping online - signing up with AmazonSmile. How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile? On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. To select Desert Voices, you will need to search and select “Tucson Metropolitan Community Chorus” - our former name. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. AmazonSmile will occasionally contact you about donation amounts disbursed to your chosen charity or about the program. We’d appreciate it, and it’s a painless way to support us during this crisis.
Fred Rogers had comforting advice for just such times: “Look to the helpers”. Amidst the uncertainty, the news, the numbers, the closures, the images from our hospitals, we can fight our fear by focusing on the helpers. So many are stepping up in ways big and small to ensure the safety and sanity of others. They’re making masks, creating entertaining videos, wearing crazy costumes to take the trash to the curb, and finding new ways to reach out to the isolated. They are all helpers and heroes, as are you, our devoted friends.
Again, to you, our audiences, our donors, our volunteers, and supporters of every kind, thank you. Stay tuned, and stay safe.
C. Scott Zimmerman
President, Desert Voices Board of Directors
For more information, please contact us at office@desertvoices.org
Want to Help out?
Use AMAZONSMILE to support Desert Voices, Tucson Metropolitan Community Chorus
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OUR MISSION
"Fostering Community Through Song"
Desert Voices is Tucson's premier gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and ally chorus. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Arizona beautiful music and to forging a positive and resolute LGBTQA presence in the community. Our unique chorus welcomes all voices to attend our rehearsals and come to our performances, regardless of age, gender, race, creed, or sexuality. Our members are diverse in voice and in background, of gay and straight singers, of all ages and identities. We strive to bring quality, unique music performances and the harmony of community to Tucson. Our purpose is to give a voice to those whose songs go unheard.
OUR VISION
Desert Voices is an inclusive chorus organized to provide the opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and supportive others to sing together in order to:
- Build community within and outside the Chorus through our love of music.
- Produce shows that are entertaining and musically excellent.
- Perform music that reflects the lives of the LGBTQA community.
- Promote an ongoing, positive LGBTQA presence in our community.
- Advance positive social change in the larger society.
We are pleased to announce that Kim Waigwa will be our Interim Artistic Director heading into the new year. Kim's passion for and dedication to Desert Voices' vision, her musicianship, proficiency in teaching, and her established relationship with the chorus made her the best person we could possibly ask for to lead Desert Voices.
A Proud Sponsor of Desert Voices |
Desert Voices has been awarded a Community Investment Grant this year by the Arizona Commission on the Arts! We're proud to be a part of the Arizona arts community, and will keep fostering that community through song!
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