Exploring Arizona Philharmonic’s Community-Centric Vision

To understand Arizona Philharmonic’s vision for the Prescott fine arts community, it is helpful to hear executive director Henry Flurry speak of the orchestra’s culture of kindness. During AZ Phil’s founding, this culture began with respect and hospitality for the musicians. It quickly grew to include the audience, volunteers, staff, board members and the community.

Community-Centric Vision

Behind the orchestra’s goals of creating beautiful and transformative music is a multi-layered, community-centric vision. First is attracting professional musicians to North-Central Arizona with professional performing opportunities at professional wages. AZ Phil, into its fifth season, has hired nearly 200 musicians and introduced 170 musicians to Prescott who hadn’t played here before. Many of those now play in other local ensembles.

AZ Phil also seeks to enhance Prescott’s existing arts-vibrancy by developing local stages for classical music’s specific needs. “We have been applying for grants to place a professional piano at the Elks Theatre,” said Flurry. “Imagine parking downtown, enjoying a meal, and then walking to a classical music concert.” AZ Phil also is working with the Margot Fonteyn Academy of Ballet and local philanthropists to develop a shared campus with a multi-stage fine arts venue. “We’re imagining not just ballet and orchestra concerts, but also opera and drama and summer festivals,” said Flurry.

Arizona Philharmonic works to increase accessibility to the arts. Their outreach has included offering OLLI classes, composing with after school programs, performing on school playgrounds during COVID, and collaborating to create authentic learning experiences. In January, Arizona Philharmonic performed five orchestral pieces that were composed by third and sixth graders who were inspired by visits to the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium.

Putting Beautiful Music within Everyone’s Reach

And then there is Art 4 All, a program offering free or pay-what-you-can tickets to anybody who otherwise could not afford such. To reach these communities, AZ Phil partners with schools, churches and other local non-profits, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Boys to Men Mentoring, Prescott Area Women’s Shelter and ComMUSIKey.

Music professor Dr. Joshua Harper of Yavapai College is a big fan. “By allowing community members the opportunity to pay what they can, financial barriers are broken down and all are given access to professional music. This program shows AZ Phil’s priority: our community.”

Adriana Arizmendi, a Prescott mother, says that Art 4 All allows her family to enjoy beautiful concerts. She added, “The concerts deepen my children’s appreciation for music and develop curiosity about other music and other composers.”

What began as an interview about AZ Phil’s Art 4 All program had segued into a thoughtful conversation about people functioning at their best when they feel valued; discussing what kind of community we want; and exploring what hospitality and kindness looks like for the community.

Timpanist Maria Flurry chimed in. “Art is an important part of the human experience that all should access. Coming to a concert is like going to a church; you set aside that time not to be disturbed and you create something almost sacred.” QCBN

 By Sandy Farrell

For tickets and information go to AZPhil.org.

Sandra Farrell is a former broadcast and print journalist. More recently, she was press secretary for elected officials and she retired from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank as media manager. She and her husband and two dogs moved to Prescott a year ago and love all things Prescott.