August 31, 2020

Dear Friends of OGSA,

I am delighted to introduce myself to you as the new president of the Opera Guild. Many of you know me through the UA Music Advisory Board, the Tucson Youth Music Center, the Kino Heritage Society, or other community activities. Also elected by email ballot of the membership are Carol Garrard to a two-year term as 1st Vice President, and Pilar Fabula, who is very active on the Tucson music scene, to a two-year term as Treasurer. Rounding out the current officers, Vera Pavlakovich-Kochi and Zoltan Rosztoczy continue their terms as 2^nd and 3^rd Vice Presidents, respectively.

I would like to express my appreciation to outgoing president Judi Hasbrouck for her outstanding service to OGSA. Judi’s tenure as president brought many successful events to our community. Also of note is that she chaired Quest for the Best for five years. She is to be commended for her many years of service. Heartfelt thanks also to retiring longtime Board member Patrick Schifano, who was for many years our membership chair. We look forward to his and Patricia’s continued participation in our activities. And a warm welcome back to our Board to Robert and Vivian Weede. They are longtime active supporters of the arts in the Tucson area, and of OGSA in particular.

As you know, the health care crisis in Arizona due to Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 Quest for the Best and the balance of our 2019-20 opera previews. Your Board of Directors has been monitoring the situation, particularly as it affects our collaborating organizations, the UA Fred Fox School of Music and the Arizona Opera Company, and our host venues. Given the ongoing uncertainties and the need to plan months in advance, we have determined that for the 2020-21 season Quest for the Best and our previews of AZ Opera performances cannot take place in their usual form. But, we do plan to bring you an online student voice competition, online opera previews, and other activities to benefit students financially and give them opportunities to perform. Please read the article below for what we have in mind. Of course, plans may have to change, but we will keep you informed of what’s in progress.

Currently, every single non-profit is facing a crisis due to the pandemic.  However, as noted above, we are not folding our tent and slipping away into the desert darkness.  There is no roadmap of this new terrain marked “Uncertainty,” but we commit that with your continued support OGSA will be here, bringing beautiful music to the community and assisting student singers. Please renew your membership now; if you have already done so, thank you!

Wishing you a safe season, and do keep a song in your heart!

Rosie P. Garcia
President