From the time that COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) first impacted the performing arts several weeks ago, The Hub has been tracking postponements and cancellations by U.S. and international orchestras, performing arts centers, and conservatories.
The League of American Orchestras is posting information about COVID-19 preparedness as a service to the orchestra field. Find resources, guidance, and updates on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.
To help limit the spread of the virus, the following American arts organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities. The organizations are offering a variety of options to exchange, donate, refund, or adjust previously purchased tickets. Please note that orchestras and performing arts centers are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to their individual websites and social media for the most up-to-date information. (This list is not complete, and we will continue to post announcements as they arrive.)
The Annapolis Symphony (Maryland) has cancelled its March 20 and 21 concerts, following the governor’s prohibition of gathering of more than 250 people.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Georgia) has postponed or cancelled all Symphony Hall and public-facing activities beginning March 13 through March 22, with some additional events in April also cancelled.
The Augusta Symphony (Georgia) has postponed its March 28 concert to September 17. The orchestra has not made a determination at this point about its April 25 concert.
The Billings Symphony Orchestra and Chorale (Montana) has postponed its concert production of West Side Story originally scheduled for March 14, and will announce a new date when it is rescheduled.
The Cape Symphony (Massachusetts) has postponed its April 4 and 5 performances. No events will take place at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center, the symphony’s home in Hyannis.
The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, based in Trenton, has postponed its March 14 concert until September 12. The orchestra is monitoring COVID-19 developments and will evaluate whether to proceed with its April 18 performance.
Celebrity Series of Boston, which presents music and dance performances at several Boston venues, has cancelled all remaining performances of the 2019-20 season. Community performances, receptions, the annual gala, and other gatherings are also cancelled. Classical-music concerts included appearances by pianist Daniil Trifonov, Kronos Quartet, Castle of Our Skins, soprano Renée Fleming with pianist Evgeny Kissin, and the Danish String Quartet.
The Charlotte Symphony (North Carolina), in coordination with the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, has postponed its March 13 and 14 performances.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (Illinois), parent organization of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has cancelled all concerts and events through April 12. This includes more than 100 concerts and events at Symphony Center and in the community, as well as education and engagement activities. All pre-and post-concert presentations have also been cancelled.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Texas) has cancelled all performances at the Meyerson Symphony Center from March 13 to March 22. Dallas County and the City of Dallas had declared a state of emergency on March 12 and prohibited gatherings of more than 500 people to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
The Des Moines Symphony (Iowa) has postponed its March 14 and 15 concerts. The orchestra will announce the status of upcoming concerts on or before April 1. In addition, the Des Moines Symphony Academy has cancelled all lessons, classes, and events from March 15 to 22. From March 23 to April 4, the academy will move all private lessons and group classes online. Rehearsals of the academy’s large ensembles have been cancelled through April 4.
The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (Indiana) cancelled its March 13 young people’s concert and has postponed its March 14 subscription concert.
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (Texas) has cancelled all events to be held at Bass Performance Hall through March 31. The orchestra will reschedule the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, which had been slated to take place at Bass Performance Hall on March 14.
The Fort Collins Symphony (Colorado) has postponed its March 27 concert until summer 2020.
The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (North Carolina) has postponed all events and performances from March 15 to May 9, and will announce new dates as they are confirmed.
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra (South Carolina) has cancelled all concerts and events through March 26.
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra (Marietta, GA) has postponed its annual Celebrity Luncheon from March 21 to June 20. The orchestra’s April 4 concert with the Georgia Symphony Chorus and the Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers has been postponed.
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra (Springfield, IL) has cancelled or postponed performances and events from March 17 through March 29.
The Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra (Los Angeles, California), has cancelled all performances in March and April.
The Longmont Symphony Orchestra (Colorado) has cancelled its April 4 concert. The May 9 concert has not been cancelled at this point.
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (California) has postponed its March 12 and 13 concerts to a later date and has cancelled its March 28 and 29 concerts.
The Reno Chamber Orchestra (Nevada) has cancelled its March 14 and 15 concerts. The orchestra is evaluating whether to proceed with its April 4 and 5 concerts.
The New England Conservatory (Boston, Massachusetts) will move to online learning after spring break ends on March 27, and private lessons will be conducted online. Ensembles and performances will be suspended for the remainder of the semester. All campus concerts, events, tours and activities have been cancelled.
The Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra (Sioux Center, Iowa) has cancelled its April 7 concert.
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (Florida) has postponed events and concerts through March 31 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and at the Plaza Live venue.
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (Illinois) has postponed its March 14 and April 25 concerts.
The People’s Symphony Concerts (New York City, New York), which has presented low-cost concerts since 1900, has cancelled its March 21 and 28 concerts.
The Reading Symphony (Pennsylvania) has cancelled its April 18 performance.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Missouri) has cancelled its March 13 and 14 performances, and the Youth Orchestra concert on March 15, following the City of St. Louis’ prohibition of large gatherings.
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Minnesota) has cancelled all performances from March 13 to March 29.
The Santa Rosa Symphony (California) has cancelled concerts through March 23, including the Youth Orchestra Showcase on March 15.
The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (Washington) has cancelled the “4 Orchestras” concert on March 22.
