Larry and Florence Adamson to receive TSO’s 4th Annual Maestro Award at PRIMO on January 18, 2025
A Tucson native, who grew up less than a mile from the current Symphony office, Larry graduated from the University of Arizona, before heading off to serve his country in the Navy in the Pacific. Then, it was off to California for work, where he met a California girl. This California farm girl, Florence, became a big city girl in San Francisco, enjoying the symphony and opera and many other arts. Married in Carmel, they then headed off to New York, where Larry left behind his CPA career with his University of San Francisco law degree in hand. Larry obtained his Masters in Tax Law at NYU and Florence worked to supported them, but also enjoyed many concerts (in the house box) at Carnegie Hall. It was then to Tucson where Larry joined his current Tucson law firm as a tax lawyer. Back in Tucson it was Florence who ensured that they became Tucson Symphony season ticket holders, which has continued for over 50 years.
Larry’s many community activities include serving on the Boards of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Museum of Art, University of Arizona Foundation, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, Tucson Airport Authority (and Chairman), Tucson Medical Center Foundation, Rotary Club of Tucson (and President), Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation (President) and professionally the Estate Planning Council of Southern Arizona (President) and Planned Giving Roundtable for Southern Arizona (President), while Florence serves on the Board of Ballet Tucson.
Larry is listed in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America and all editions of Best Lawyers in America.
The Connie Hillman Family Foundation, which Larry leads with the Hillman family, have made grants in the Tucson community of more than $40M, including the Tucson Symphony’s Connie Hillman Family Foundation Endowment Trumpet Chair, and sponsorship of the Symphony’s special artist concerts for the past eight years. Larry and Florence personally support the Tucson Symphony’s annual fund and endowment fund, as well as other Tucson arts and other organizations.
Larry and Florence both say, “Life without the arts would be a life not worth living.”
We are honored to recognize the indelible mark Larry and Florence have made on the TSO and the Tucson Community.