László Veres, Conductor 1997-2022

László Veres is widely recognized as a talented educator, conductor and performer. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Arizona and his master's in music from the University of Oregon. He held the position of principal clarinetist with the Tucson Symphony for sixteen years, during which he also founded the Philharmonia Orchestra of Tucson and was its music director/conductor for seven years.
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Retired from public school teaching after 30 years, he took on positions of conductor of the Foothills Phil, a community intergenerational orchestra, and conductor of the Tucson Pops Orchestra, along with his duties as founding conductor of the Arizona Symphonic Winds. He continues to serve public school children in Tucson by volunteering in high schools.

His dedication to music education and community service is well known; he has been honored with the Excellence-in-Teaching Award from the Arizona Music Educators Association, the Nunamaker Directors Award with Distinction from the University of Arizona, and the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. The Ohio State University Alumni Association also named him Outstanding Band Director of Southern Arizona. He has appeared as guest conductor for many events across southern Arizona, including appearances with the Tucson Symphony and Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestras.

László shares his musical endeavors with his wife, Frances, a Tucson Symphony violinist; sons Andre, Daniel, Michael (with his wife and two children), and stepdaughter Angela.

In 2009 the outdoor concert theater in Udall Park was named “László Veres Amphitheater” in his honor.
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László has published his autobiography, No Regrets, depicting his journey through life in Hungary during World War II and the Holocaust, his escape from life under Communism, and thereafter in the United States.