>> Ted: NEXT ON ARIZONA ARIZONA HORIZON, WE HERE HEAR ABOUT THE CONCERT SEASON.

THAT'S NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> Announcer: THIS HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FRIENDS OF PBS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TODAY SAID THAT IT WILL ASK THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO BLOCK A LOWER COURT RULING THAT LIMITS ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ABORTION PILL, MIFEPRISTONE AFTER THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT THAT THE DRUG COULD BE AVAILABLE AFTER A LAWSUIT FILED BY ANTIABORTION COURTS MAKES ITS WAY TO THE COURT AND THEY OVERTURNED IT BY THE F.D.A.

TO BE SENT THROUGH THE MAIL AND PRESCRIBED BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NOT MD'S.

THOSE LIMITS ARE WHAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING THE SUPREME COURT TO BLOCK.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO GIVE DACA RECIPIENTS TO MEDICAID AND ACA MARKETPLACE.

IT INVOLVES EXPANDING LAWFULLY PRESENT AND IT WOULD EXPAND HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO 580,000DACA RECIPIENTS AND IT EXPECTS TO GET THAT DONE BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

>>> NEW ARIZONA BUDGET ESTIMATES WERE RELEASED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND SHOW AN INCREASE IN STATE REVENUE AND BASE REVENUE GROWTH IS NOW PROJECTED TO BE AT 8.8% AND UP FROM 7.5% FORECASTED IN JANUARY.

AND THIS SURPLUS IS 5.2 BUILD UP FROM 1.8 BILLION.

GENERAL FUND REVENUES ARE UP $284 MILLION THAN PREVIOUSLY FORECASTED.

THE STATE'S ECONOMY REMAINS RESILIANT.

THE PRODUCER PRICE AND YOU MIGHT SEE LOWER PRICES AND FELL TO 2.7% AND IT WAS 4.9% THIS TIME LAST YEAR AND A HALF PERCENT LOWER MONTH OVER MONTH.

THE PPI MENTIONS CHANGES IN THE SELLING PRICES AND THE INDEX CAN FORECAST CONSUMER PRICES IF PRODUCERS PASS ALONG SAVINGS.

THE FORECAST ATLANTIC HURRICANE SHOWS FEWER THAN AVERAGE AND LOOKS LIKE AN EL NINO PLAYING FORMING IN THE FALL.

MORE RAIN IS THE LAST THING THEY NEED IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA.

THE CITY WAS HIT WITH 25-INCHES OF RAIN IN 24 HOURS YESTERDAY.

SOME AREAS RECEIVING 20-INCHES IN SIX HOURS.

THE METEOROLOGISTS SAY THE RAINFALL RATE IS SOMETHING YOU SEE ONCE IN EVERY THOUSAND OR TWO THOUSAND YEARS.

NO CASUALTIES AS OF YET AND STILL TOO EARLY FOR DAMAGE ESTIMATES, BUT THE AREA IS EXPECTING RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS INTO THIS EVENING.

>>> KEESHA WASHINGTON WON THE DISTRICT 8 SEAT AND IN DOING SO, SHE MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ON COUNCIL AND WE WELCOME HER TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WON?

>> I'M BIASED, BUT I THOUGHT I WAS THE BETTER CANDIDATE.

[ Laughter ] >> I THINK MANY PEOPLE THINK IT TELLS THEM WHAT TO DO AND THEY DON'T LISTEN.

I THOUGHT I WOULD INTRODUCE MYSELF AND TELL THEM WHAT I THINK ARE THE PRIORITIES AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THEM, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO WORK ON AND I THINK HAVING THAT OPEN-DOOR COMMUNICATION WAS SOMETHING PEOPLE WERE LONGING FOR.

>> Ted: THE PERSON ASPECT HERE MADE A DIFFERENCE?

>> I PERSONALLY KNOCKED ON THOUSANDS OF DOORS AND INTRODUCED MYSELF TO MANY RESIDENTS.

>> Ted: ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL AND YOU'RE DOING WELL.

YOU DECIDED TO RUN AGAINST AN INCUMBENT AND A DIFFICULT THING TO DO AND DIFFICULT DECISION AND WHY DID YOU DO IT?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WASN'T HAPPY WITH WHAT I SAW IN OUR CITY AND EASY TO CITY ON THE SIT ON THE SIDELINE AND COMPLAIN BUT I NEEDED TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE.

I DECIDED I KNEW IT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE RUNNING AGAINST AN INCUMBENT AND I'LL LET THE DISTRICT DECIDE AND I THOUGHT THE DISTRICT MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

TED >> Ted: WHEN YOU SAW THINGS YOU WEREN'T HAPPY ABOUT, WHAT WAS ONE OF TH OF THE THINGS?

>> THE HOMELESS SITUATION AND NOT WERE WE WERE USED TO.

I LIVE AT 51st AVENUE AND BASELINE AND THAT AREA WAS BECOMING MORE AND MORE LESS DESIRABLE AND BECOMING AN ATTRACTION FOR INDIVIDUALS DOING ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND JUST LOITER AND DRUG ACTIVITY IN THE OPEN AND DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT IS WHAT WE WANTED TO BECOME.

>> Ted: LIKE THE CITY WAS NEGLECTING THE AREAS?

>> NOT NEGLECTING BUT THE ATTENTION IT DEMANDED.

>> Ted: SO BY THE WAY, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ON THE PHOENIX CITY COUNCIL AND I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY INTERESTING AND DEFINITELY AN HONOR AND HUMBLING TO CONSIDER THE CITY HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 109 YEARS AND NO ONE HAS LOOKED LIKE ME OR SAT IN MY DEMOGRAPHIC HAS SHARED THIS AND IT'S EXCITING.

STILL TRYING TO WRAP MY WORDS AROUND WHAT IT ENTAILS.

>> Ted: YOU AND KEVIN ROBINSON, FIRST TIME THAT'S HAPPENED.

>> YES.

>> Ted: THIS DISTRICT 8 AND MORE ABOUT THIS IN A SEC, SECOND, BUT THIS WAS A DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY AFRICAN-AMERICANS WITH SOME REGULARITY AND IS IT IMPORTANT THAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPRESENTATION ON THE COUNCIL COMES ESPECIALLY FROM THAT DISTRICT?

>> I MEAN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE HEARD AND ESPECIALLY HISTORICALLY, THIS HAS BEEN AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN SEAT, SO I THINK THAT IS KIND OF WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT DESPITE THE -- THERE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT ARE MORE PROFOUND IN SOME COMMUNITIES AND WITHOUT HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE, YOU DON'T GET THE REPRESENTATION OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE PROBABLY THE MEAL.

[ Laughter ] >> Ted: YOU MENTIONED HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS RUN HAND IN HAND.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A COUNCIL WOMEN TO ADDRESS THIS?

>> DIRECTING THE URGENCY AND EVERYONE CAN AGREE THIS IS AN ISSUE AND WHAT IS OUR INTENTIONAL PLAN TO ADDRESS THIS?

WE NEED TO ACT AND DETERMINE MORE ATTAINABLE HOUSING SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR OUR CITY AND WHAT DEVELOPMENT WE'RE ALLOWING INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE'VE TRYWE TRIED TO DETERMINE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CITY CAN LIVE AND WHERE WE CAN LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A DISCONNECT IN CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR CITY.

>> Ted: LOOKING AT INCENTIVES OR MANDATES.

IF YOU WANT TO BUILD THIS, YOU HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> I BELIEVE IN INCENTIVIZE AND BEHAVIOR.

>> Ted: LET'S TALK ABOUT POLICING.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AND WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN AND WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

[ Laughter ] >> THAT'S A LOT.

WHAT HAVE I SEEN?

GOOD AND BAD POLICING.

I'VE SEEN WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE AND WE NEED TO ENSURE WHAT WE CONSIDER BAD POLICING ARE REDUCED AND MINIMIZED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND A REBUILDING OF COMMUNITY TRUST IN OUR POLICE SYSTEM.

I THINK WE HAVE LOST THAT AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT WAS FOR INCORRECT REASONS, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO REMEMBER WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND ANY OTHER EMPLOYEES OF OUR CITY, WE SHOULD BE RALLYING TO MAKE SURE THEY PERFORM THE BEST THEY CAN.

>> Ted: FOR THOSE WHO SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS LOOKING INTO POLICE ACTIONS IN PHOENIX.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, FORETHOSEFOR THOSE SAYING, IN LEVINE, I WANT TO SEE MORE AND WHAT DO YOU SAY TO BOTH SIDES?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I RAN ON, ON THE PROPOSITION THAT IT'S NOT AN EITHER/OR PROPOSITION.

WE CAN HAVE MORE OFFICERS AND WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK YOU DON'T HAVE TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER.

>> Ted: YOUR PREDECESSOR WANTED RED CAL CHANGERADICAL CHANGE AND DID HE GO ABOUT THAT THE WRONG WAY?

TALK ABOUT THIS THAT IT NEEDED TO GET DONE YESTERDAY AND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO AND TAKING STEPS TO GET THERE.

>> WE NEED TO CONTINUE AND INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMES UP WITH BASED ON THEIR INVESTIGATION.

I THINK IT'S -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MY LEGAL BACKGROUND BUT A BENEFIT OF INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY AND WE NEED THAT PERCEPTION WHEN DEALING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE SEE IN MANY INSTANCES WHICH HAVE BEEN PROBLEMATIC AND THERE ARE NO SHORTAGES OF THOSE AND WE 'DO SEE THE INSTANCES WHERE THEY PERFORM IN A MANNER THAT'S ACCEPTABLE.

IT'S ABOUT STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE.

WE DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE INSTANCES OF ABUSE AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE DON'T WANT TO DEMONIZE THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT.

WE NEED A BETTER BALANCE AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT I HOPE TO WORK ON AND BRINGING TO OUR CITY.

>> Ted: YOU SOUND LIKE SOUND LIKE A COUNCILPERSON ALREADY AND THOSE ARE ANSWERS PEOPLE LIKE TO HEAR.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A POLITICIAN?

>> I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A PERSON THAT MAKES CHANGE AND I REALIZE POLICY CHANGES TO OUR SOCIETY AND YES.

>> Ted: YOU ARE A POLITICIAN AND CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING THE RACE AND SWORN IN ON THE 17th?

>> MONDAY AT 2:00 P.M. >> Ted: GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

TED >> Ted: A NONPROFIT WORKS TO ADDRESS FOSTER CARE IN THE STATE.

THE NUMBER OF FOSTERCARE FAMILIES IN ARIZONA IS SKYROCKETING AND THE NUMBER FOR HELPING HANDS AND THIS TAKES THE LARGEST PROVIDER FOR CHILDREN.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND WHAT IT NEEDS IS BETHANY EGELSON AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> Ted: GIVE ME A BETTER DEFINITION.

>> THIS IS A PLACE WHERE FOSTER FAMILY AND ADVOCATES CAN COME AND GET THE THINGS THAT CHILDREN NEED SO THEY CAN THRIVE.

THAT'S BED, CLOTHES, DIAPERS AND WIPES AND SHOES AND AWESOME BIRTHDAY PRESENTS.

>> Ted: THAT'S A BIG DEAL, TOO.

>> WE HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH THAT.

>> Ted: WE'RE TALKING ESSENTIAL NEEDS TO KIDS IN FOSTER CARE, CORRECT?

>> Ted: WITH THE YES.

>> YES.

OUR BEST DAY BEFORE WOULD HAVE BEEN 16 FAMILIES MAYBE REPRESENTING FIVE FAMILIES AND NOW, OUR HIGHEST DAY HAS BEEN 55 FAMILIES IN A SINGLE DAY.

>> Ted: HOLY SMOKES.

>> THEY NEED THE HELP AND WE NEED TO SHOW UP.

>> Ted: WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHY THE INCREASE?

>> NUMBER ONE, I THINK WE HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF THAT ARE HELPING TO GET THE WORD OUT AND REALLY WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE HERE TO HELP THEM AND I THINK THAT'S ONE PIECE AND I THINK A MAJOR PIECE IS WHEN YOU PULL UP TO THAT GAS STATION AND CHECK OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE, WE'RE SWEATING A LITTLE BIT AND THEY ARE, TOO.

IF YOU CAN IMAGINE, A KINSHIP FAMILY.

THEY GOT A CALL LAST NIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, GRANDMA HAS TO PICK UP HER GRANDSON AND GRANDDAUGHTER AND SHE SHOWS UP AND GETS HOME AND DO I HAVE A TOOTHBRUSH AND BED AND MAYBE SHE'S ON A FIXED INCOME AND DOESN'T HAVE THE FUNDS AND GETS TO COME TO SEE US.

>> Ted: WHEN SHE COMES TO SEE YOU, HOW DOES THAT WORK?

IS THERE SOMETHING TO CHOOSE FROM?

A SIZE THIS OR THAT AND WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?

>> THEY COME IN THE DOOR AND TELL US ABOUT THE KIDS IN THEIR CARE AND THEY GET TO SHOP OUR 20,000 SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE OF THE THINGS THEY NEED.

>> Ted: ARE THEY SHOPPING FOR NEW THINGS OR GENTLY USED THINGS AND HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

FOR THE MOST PART, THEY'RE SHOPPING FOR NEW THINGS.

>> Ted: WOW!

>> WE'VE MADE CHANGES AND WE'RE FOCUSED AND MAKING THINGS IN OUR SHELTER NEW.

>> Ted: WHY DID YOU MAKE THESE CHANGES?

>> THEY DESERVE IT AND COOL NIKES AND THEY DESERVE THAT JUST LIKE OUR KIDS HAVE.

>> Ted: CLOTHES, AND PREFERABLY NEW AND SHOES AND SOCKS AND DRESSING A KID.

>> AND THEIR BACKPACK AND THEY NEED A TOOTHBRUSH AND SHAMPOO AND ALL OF THE THINGS THEY DIDN'T HAVE AT THEIR HOME BEFORE THEY WERE REMOVED OR MAYBE THEY LEFT WITH NOTHING.

>> Ted: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR SUPPLIES?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE GET THEM FROM ARIZONANS.

SERIOUSLY, EVERYTHING IN OUR WAREHOUSE WAS BROUGHT BROUGHT TO BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOME AMAZING COMMUNITY MEMBER OR THEY BRING US THE FUNDS.

>> Ted: IF PEOPLE WANT TO HELP SUPPLY, ARE THERE PARTICULAR SIZES OR PARTICULAR THINGS IN NEED?

>> YES.

RIGHT NOW I'LL BE REAL WITH YOU.

WE NEED SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR OF ALL SIZES.

WE SERVE NEWBORNS ALL THE WAY THROUGH TEENAGER, SO THROUGH 18.

WE CAN SERVE THE ENTIRE GROUP.

SO WE NEED CLOTHING OF ALL SIZES AND DEFINITELY TEENS AND THEN LITTLES.

SO THINK LIKE NEWBORN AND BABIES AND I KNOW THE OTHER DAY WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY 5T BOY'S CLOTHES AND ALL OF THAT IS HAPPENING AND REALLY ANY SIZE CLOTHES MADE FOR A CHILD.

>> Ted: I HAVE STUFF THAT, AGAIN, GENTLY USED OR LET YOU GO OUT AND SHOP AND LET YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT'S NEEDED AND HOW WILL THEY DONATE CLOTHES AND DONATE MONEY?

>> SO THAT IS SUPER EASY.

WE'RE OPEN BETWEEN 9:00 TO 5:00 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND THUNDERBIRD AND 32nd AND YOU ROLL TO THE BACK AND THE GUYS WILL HELP YOU OUT TO TAKE YOUR DOEDONATION.

OR VISIT AZHELPINGHANDS.ORG.

>> Ted: THIS IS OBVIOUSLY FOR INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND WHAT ABOUT CORPORATE DONATIONS?

>> WE'RE LOOKING FOR STRONG CORPORATE PARTNERS RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S A HUGE NEED OUT THERE FOR FAMILIES WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO OUR CENTER.

THINK ABOUT IF WE'RE OPEN FROM 9:00 TO 5:00 AND YOU WORK DURING THE DAY, HOW WILL YOU MAKE IT THERE.

IF YOU LIVE IN SHOW LOW OR PAIGE OR TUCSON, THAT'S A FAR DRIVE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK AND IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE THE ACCESS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE INVENTORY IN PLACE TO SERVE THESE FAMILIES BEFORE WE CAN EXPLODE AND MAKE THIS AMAZING HAPPEN.

WE NEED CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS.

SO IF THERE ARE RETAIL STORES, IF YOU HAVE THE ABLE TO HELP US BUY BETTER THAN WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GOING TO WALMART AND THAT'S NOT A GREAT USE OF FUNDS.

WE NEED PARTNERSHIPS TO BUY THE THINGS WE NEED.

>> Ted: FOR MORE INFORMATION, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> DEVELOPMENT@AZHELPINGHANDDEVELOPMENT@AZHELPINGHANDS.OR G. >> Ted: THE NUMBERS ARE HIGH AND SPIKING AND YOUR SHE'DS ARE NEEDS ARE HIGH AND ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> OH, DEFINITELY!

ARIZONA IS RIDICULOUS!

I LOVE THESE PEOPLE.

I HAVEN'T LIVED HERE LONG BUT WE WHEN PUT AN ASK AND SHARE, THEY SHOW UP!

AND I HAVE JUST -- FOR EXAMPLE, FORGIVING TUESDAY, WE ASKED ARIZONANS FOR 6O 60 BICYCLES AND THEY SHOWED UP WITH $117,000.

>> Ted: WHOA!

>> WE HAVE BIKES FOR DAYS AND YOU HAVE A KID IN FOSTER CARE, GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

>> Ted: THEY HAVE A FRIEND IN AZ HELPING HANDS AND BETHANY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: CHAMBER MUSIC SEDONA CELEBRATING THE 40th CONCERT SEASON TO MARK THE MILESTONE INCLUDING A GALA WITH A NEW COMMISSION FOR THE OCCASION AND HERE TO TELL US THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF CHAMBER MUSIC SEDONA AND THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS!

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TED.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME BACK.

>> Ted: THE 40th AND 40 40 YEARS AND WHAT KIND OF CELEBRATIONS HAVE YOU GOT GOING?

>> AN AMAZING MILESTONE AND I'VE BEEN THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AROUND FOUR DECADES.

WE'RE CELEBRATING WITH A FEW EVENTS THIS WEEK AND WE HAVE A CONCERT THIS EVENING WHICH IS SOLD OUT AND THERE IS THIS IS OPEN TO LOCAL MUSIC STUDENTS AND A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO IS MUSIC EDUCATION.

OUR BIG CULMINATING EVENT IS SUNDAY AT 3:00 A.M. 3:00 P.M.

THIS IS TO SHOW THIS IS MUSIC BETWEEN FRIENDS AND CAN ALSO BE AS LARGE SCALE AND KIND OF EPIC AS A SYMPHONY CONCERT.

THE REPERTOIRE WILL SHOW THAT, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WILL BE A BRAND NEW PIECE THAT WE CO-COMMISSIONED SPECIFICALLY TO COMMEMORATE OUR 40th 40th ANNIVERSARY SEASON BY THE WONDERFUL COMPOSER, MICHAEL STEVEN BROWN.

>> Ted: THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT.

THIS IS SOLD OUT AND IS THAT WHERE YOU GOT ONE OR TWO MUSICIANS PLOPPING DOWN AND STARTING TO PLAY?

>> WHERE CHAMBER MUSIC ALL STARTED WAS IN A CHAMBER, IN A SMALL VENUE AND SO WE LIKE TO DO THAT SO THIS IS YES, RIGHT NOW, AT A PRIVATE HOME FOR A VERY INTIMATE AUDIENCE, WHICH IS SOLD OUT, WHICH IS WONDERFUL!

IT'S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FROM WHAT OUR GALA CONCERT ON SUNDAY WILL BE WHICH IS THIS BIG GRAND SCALE CELEBRATION CONCERT THAT WE'RE CALLING EPIC OCTETTE.

>> Ted: THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE SYMPHONY MUSIC.

>> WE'LL HAVE AS MANY AS NINE IN THE COUNTRY PACKING OUR STAGE FOR THESE INCREDIBLE MASTERPIECES BY MENDELSEN AND ENESSCO AND EARTH-SHATTER WORKS AND IT'S PAIRED WITH AND YOU MENTIONED, TED, THIS NEW WORK THAT IS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS 40th ANNIVERSARY BY MICHAEL STEVEN BROWN.

I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT IT'S CALLED BECAUSE IT'S PERFECT FOR OUR AUDIENCE, VORTEX FOR CELLO.

>> Ted: YOU ARRIVED AT THE MUSIC OF CHAMBER SEDONA IN 2018.

WHY DID YOU TAKE THIS JOB AND WHAT DID YOU SEE THEN AND WHAT DO YOU SEE NOW?

>> I'VE BEEN COMING HERE TO PLAY AS A PERFORMER AND SO I GOT TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY AND FOR SEVERAL YEARS I CAME HERE TO PERFORM.

THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE ON A LARGE ROLE IN 2018 AND I JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE PROGRAMMING, INTERESTING CONCERTS, BRINGING TOGETHER THE MUSICIANS THAT I LOVE, TO PLAY THE MUSIC AS MUCH AS A PASSION AS CELLO PLAYING IS.

I HAVE SEEN THE ORGANIZATION GROWN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND OUR AUDIENCES ARE AS HIGH AS THEY'VE EVER BEEN, YOU KNOW, IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY AND WE'RE DOUBLING DOWN ON OUR MISSION WITH MUSIC EDUCATION.

I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN A GREAT RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> Ted: IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE ATTENDANCE HAS GROWN AND FINANCES HAVE STABILIZEED.

WAS THERE A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WORKED FOR A CHANGE?

>> I THINK THAT MIGHT BE TRUE.

I'M JUST THE ARTISTIC GUY.

[ Laughter ] >> SO WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND RUN BY BRYNN UNGER AND THEY'VE JUST DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB WITH THE BUSINESS SIDE TO MAKE US FINANCIALLY SOUND AND THRIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Ted: OK, I'LL ASK YOU THIS ONE, FOR FOLKS NEW NO CLASSICAL MUSIC IN GENERAL, CHAMBER MUSIC, WHEN YOU SEE IT AND HEAR IT, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR AND LISTEN FOR?

>> WELL, I REALLY THINK WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IS THE INTIMACY BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE ON STAGE BUT A LOT LESS AND THERE IS THAT KIND OF CONVERSATION THAT GOES ON BETWEEN MUSICIANS.

THERE'S NO CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE MOOSEMUSICIANS AND THE AUDIENCE BUT DIRECT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MUSICIANS AND THE AUDIENCE.

AND SO I REALLY COME BACK TO THAT WORLD, "INTIMACY."

IN THIS CONCERT, WE'RE BRINGING THIS LARGER SCALE ELEMENT TO IT.

>> Ted: SEVERESEDONA, DOES THAT COLOR THE MUSIC IN ANY WAY?

>> I THINK MUSICIANS ALWAYS GET INSPIRED BY NATURAL BEAUTY AND SO WHEN WE'RE HERE AND FEELING THE ENERGY OF THIS PLACE, IT MAKES US MANY.

WE WERE JUST REHEARSING NOW AND IN A BETTER MOOD THAN IN A DARK APARTMENT IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> Ted: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND BIG WEEKEND FOR YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL OF THE SUCCESS UP THERE AND GOOD LUCK ON SUNDAY WITH THE GUYS ON STAGE.

THAT'S A CROWD THERE.

>> I THINK SO.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M.

>> Ted: TED SIMONS AND YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪