The Symphony Women's Association

The mission of TSWA is to provide music education to children from underserved families in Tucson/Pima County by offering them free music lessons, including music, supplies and loaner instruments as needed.

TSWA currently the only music education program in Tucson that offers free weekly group and one-on-one music lessons. All necessary materials (and when needed, loaner instruments) are provided to school-age children (pre-K through 12) whose parents can't afford to give their children these advantages. Our comprehensive lessons teach students not only how to play an instrument, but also proper technique, repertoire, sight-reading, theory, ear training, performance and music appreciation. For qualification considerations, we follow federal guidelines for parental income, and also require the student display an interest in music. Most of our students are referred by their teachers/principals, social agencies, or by word of mouth.

Members of TSWA are comprised of all volunteers who take care of any and all needs inherent in running such a program. We don't have any paid staff, many of our teachers donate their services, and the rest work at highly reduced rates. TSWA is very fortunate to have music instructors/ musicians/educators of the highest caliber who are well-known not only in Tucson. These selfless and generous people come from TSO, the U of A, Pima, and private studios. These musicians are professionals of their own fields and combine a rare quality of compassion and understanding to the many special circumstances that some of the students are going through.

Testimonials

"TSWA has continuously demonstrated concern for the Tucson community, our children's arts education and the future of music education. I have been most impressed with the partnerships they have initiated with schools, businesses, arts organizations, and individual donors." Tucson Educator
"TSWA's Youth Music Center is a beautiful testament to the old saying that speaks of helping another best by giving them a fishing pole and showing them how to fish, instead of just giving them a fish. The dedicated volunteers and exceptional teachers certainly will live on in our home long after these music lessons are finished. TSWA's school has many children from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. Some of their parents do not yet speak English as well as their native language. But their smiles, their music, their enthusiasm need no words. Music is a language understood all over the world." A Parent