Photo Credit: Alan Nyiri
Watershed Soundscape
About
The loss of perennial desert flows after colonial settlement has forever altered the landscape and ecosystems of the Santa Cruz Watershed. As we face the challenges of development, mining, and climate crisis, it is essential to understand our desert rivers and creeks as living waters. The Watershed Soundscape project convenes a dynamic new cohort of university researchers, nonprofits, Indigenous voices, school communities, and creatives. This artist-led initiative creates a multidisciplinary platform to explore drought mitigation and ecological restoration, fusing watershed science with sensory experiences to promote educational outreach grounded in Tucson’s unique sense of place.
Upcoming Events
Consortium Concert Series
Featuring Sonoran Rivers by Yuanyuan (Kay) He
February 25, 7 PM | Marana High School
February 26, 7 PM | Sonoran Winds at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church
March 11 | Mountain View High School
March 20 | Rincon/University High School
March 25 | Tucson Magnet High School
March 25 | Sabino High School
April 12, 7 PM | Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra at DesertView Performing Arts Center, Saddlebrooke
April 13, 3 PM | Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra at Catalina Foothills High School
April 24 | Flowing Wells High School
April 28 | Cienega High School
May 1 | Salpointe Catholic High School
May 2, 7:30 PM | University of Arizona Wind Ensemble, Crowder Hall - University of Arizona
May 4 | Tucson New Horizons Band, Crowder Hall - University of Arizona
May 6, 7 PM | Ironwood Ridge High School
May 6, 7, 8, 9:45 AM | Tucson Symphony Orchestra at Linda Ronstadt Center
May 7 | Walden Grove High School
May 7 | Sunnside High School
May 8 | Mica Mountain High School
May 8, 7 PM | Catalina Foothills High School
May 9 | Candyon del Oro High School
May 11, 7 PM | Tucson Pops Orchestra at Reid Park
May 15 | Sahuaro High School
May 15 | Desert View High School
May 29, 7 PM | Arizona Symphonic Winds at Udall Park
Project Components
music + art + landscape events at Empire Ranch, WMG Living Lab, and the Patagonia Opera House
A consortium of 22 ensembles from across Pima County, including high school and community bands, presenting a new work by composer Yuanyuan Kay He, inspired by local watershed data
Tucson Symphony Orchestra marquee performances at Young People's Concerts in May 2025 at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
Guest artist workshops at UA School of Art and Tohono O’odham Community College with environmental artist Heather Bird Harris
Song workshop for O'odham youth, in partnership with the San Xavier Department of Natural Resources
Santa Cruz River Watershed
People
Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan
Tohono O'dham Community College
Nicandro Guereque
Undergraduate Intern
School of Music | School of Film and Television
Esteban Hernandez Parra
Assistant Professor
School of Music
Cassandra Bendickson
Performer
Ivan Ugorich
Performer
