From the time that COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) first impacted the performing arts, 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 coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. Find resources, guidance, and updates on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.
To help reduce the spread of the virus, orchestras and other music organizations are obeying government bans on large gatherings, adhering to shelter-in-place orders, and complying with guidance from health authorities. The following organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities. Several orchestras are posting videos, recordings, and concert streams online free of charge, and many conservatories have moved to online learning. Please note that these organizations are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to their individual websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information. (This list is not complete, and we will continue to post announcements as they arrive.)
The Arizona Philharmonic (Prescott, Arizona) has postponed its March 20 and 21 concerts at the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium, which cancelled all public events indefinitely due to health concerns. The March 21 concert was to have been the orchestra’s annual spring gala. New dates will be announced.
The Bangor Symphony Orchestra (Maine) has cancelled its concerts on April 5 and May 3. The orchestra had previously canceled events in March, including a concert featuring the world premiere of a work by Music Director Lucas Richman and an annual fundraiser.
The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music (California) has cancelled its 2020 season, which was scheduled for July 26-August 9. The festival states that it is America’s longest-running festival of new orchestral music; 2020 was to have been its 58th year.
The Chandler Symphony Orchestra (Arizona) has cancelled its April 5 concert at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and its May 3 concert at the Chandler Center for the Arts.
The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (Arizona) has cancelled its April 17 concert at Ardrey Memorial Auditorium on the Northern Arizona University campus.
The Juneau Symphony (Alaska) has rescheduled its April 4 and 5 concerts to June 27 and 28. In addition, the orchestra has postponed its March 28 fundraising event, Beethoven and Brews at Twisted Fish. The Juneau Symphony hopes to reschedule the fundraiser.
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (California) has cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 season, through May 21. The orchestra had previously cancelled concerts through March 29. In late March, the orchestra launched LACO AT HOME, an online series featuring taped-for-streaming performances by its musicians. On April 2 and 3, LACO AT HOME will stream videos of Concertmaster Margaret Batjer performing Bach solo violin works, and Assistant Concertmaster Teresa Stanislav and viola Robert Brophy, who are married, performing a Mozart violin and viola duo. The program will subsequently available on demand.
The Oakland Symphony Orchestra (California) has cancelled its “Chorus Spring Concert: Passover & Eastertide” on April 18.
The Phoenix Symphony (Arizona) has cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 season through June 6. The City of Phoenix has closed Symphony Hall to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Pennsylvania) has cancelled concerts through May 21 and may reschedule concerts this summer. The orchestra had previously announced cancellations through earlier dates. On its website and social media channels, the orchestra is posting self-produced videos by its musicians, educational offerings for families and instrument students, and archival live performances.
The San Francisco Symphony (California) announced additional cancellations, including an open rehearsal on April 30, concerts April 30-May 2, and the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra’s May 10 concert.
The Yakima Symphony Orchestra (Washington) has cancelled concerts on April 18 and May 9. The orchestra’s May 30 season finale currently remains on the calendar, and its annual fundraising gala, originally planned for March 27, has been rescheduled for June 19.
