Category: Help Yourself

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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.)

Carnegie Hall (New York City) has moved the summer residencies of its national youth ensembles—the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz—to an all-digital format. From July 6-17, the more than 200 teenage musicians in the programs will participate in online training, mentorship, and performances. Details about the national youth ensembles’ summer 2020 digital offerings, including events available for viewing by audiences at home, will be announced in June.

Chamber Music Northwest (Portland, Oregon) has cancelled its spring concerts and all Summer Festival concerts and events. This would have been the organization’s 50th anniversary and David Shifrin’s 40th and final summer as artistic director. Chamber Music Northwest will be the focus of a five-part series on All Classical Portland 89.9 FM featuring previous concerts. From June 22 to July 26, the organization will present a free Virtual Summer Festival of earlier performances. Despite the cancellations, Chamber Music Northwest has paid its 88 festival musicians half of their compensation and has committed to continued employment for year-round staff.

Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra (New Mexico) cancelled its May 2 and 3 concerts due to the closure of the New Mexico State University campus. The orchestra may reschedule those concerts in August, depending on the status of the pandemic.

The New Jersey Youth Symphony (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) has suspended all in-person activities, including lessons, rehearsals, concerts, and other events until the end of the season on May 17. The youth orchestra is continuing sessions remotely through its online platforms, and auditions will proceed as scheduled.

The New Sussex Symphony (Newton, New Jersey) has postponed its May 16 concert indefinitely, due to coronavirus concerns.

The New York Philharmonic (New York) has announced the cancellation of all summer 2020 performances. These include the 55th season of free Concerts in the Parks throughout NYC; the sixth annual Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Partnership, a two-year post-graduate program for advanced students in China; and the orchestra’s 18th consecutive appearance at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival in July. The orchestra has been broadcasting past performances on Facebook and YouTube since March 26, with most available on-demand afterward.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (Canada) has announced cancellations and postponements through July 2. The orchestra has cancelled its annual summer series of concerts at several locations, due to restrictions on large gatherings until September. In addition, concerts on June 21 and 28 have been postponed to the summer of 2021, and concerts on June 24 and July 2 have been postponed to a date that will be announced.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s BBC Proms performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall in August 2018 will be broadcast on Maryland Public Television on May 9 at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9, and will also be livestreamed on MPT’s digital platforms including mpt.org/livestream. The concert, taking the place of the orchestra’s traditional in-person gala concert, featured Leonard Bernstein’s Slava! A Political Overture, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2 with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. The online event can be accessed at BSOmusic.org/GalaCelebration, which will feature new pre- and post-concert content as well as a link to MPT’s telecast stream.

Every issue of Symphony, the League of American Orchestras’ quarterly magazine, reports on the critical questions, emerging trends, and news of the orchestra world. The latest edition of the magazine is no exception, with wide-ranging coverage of how orchestras are coping with the unprecedented impact of the global health crisis. Articles include an overview of the situation as it evolved, an in-depth report on how orchestras are adapting, and a look at orchestra livestreams from the viewer’s perspective. This issue lists resources and assistance from the League of American Orchestras during the pandemic.

Also in the new issue: how orchestras are celebrating the centennial of the 19th Amendment with commissions by women composers, and an examination of the ways that orchestras are addressing climate change. A special section highlights the myriad music festivals that bloom every summer.

Subscribers, please note: The print edition of this issue of Symphony arrives somewhat later than usual. Our apologies for that. As the scale of the pandemic evolved, it became clear that accurate coverage of its impact on orchestras required new articles, new analysis, new resources, new information—which required additional time.

Read Symphony for free online.

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Georgia) has postponed the remaining concerts of the current season to 2020-21, due to coronavirus concerns. These include a March 17 performance with the Columbus Ballet as well as concerts on March 28 and April 25. New dates will be announced.

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (Ohio) has announced cancellations and postponements through September 5, due to the extension of statewide stay-at-home orders. Some concerts in March, April, and May that had been rescheduled to July and August have been cancelled; other concerts that had been rescheduled to new dates will proceed, among them the May 24 concert at Carillon Park, now slated for September 5.

The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (Tucker, Georgia) has cancelled its concerts on March 24, May 12, June 16, and July 17, due to the closure of Georgia State University/Perimeter College-Clarkston, where the orchestra performs.

The Glimmerglass Festival (Cooperstown, New York), which presents six weeks of opera and musical theater, has cancelled its 2020 season, which was to run July 11 through August 25. This summer and fall, the festival will develop virtual resources for its education programs for young artists, interns, and local Youth Opera. The company will also post its Town Hall series of conversations with artists and administrators, as well as other resources, online.

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic (Oklahoma) has cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 season, due to limitations on large public gatherings. This includes concerts on May 30 and 31, and June 2 and 3.

The Savannah Philharmonic (Georgia) has cancelled the rest of the 2019-20 season. The orchestra cancelled its April 18 and May 2 concerts, as well as its June 20 performance, which had been rescheduled from March 21. Every Monday, the orchestra is posting video interviews of its musicians and guest artists with Music Director Designate Keitaro Harada.

The Venice Symphony (Florida) has cancelled and postponed concerts and events through the end of the 2019-20 season. Cancellations include classical concerts, an orchestra-with-film concert, a chamber-music performance, and an education concert. An event for donors has been moved from April 7 to the fall, and a March 27-28 pops concert will be given on May 1-2, 2021. A concert at CoolToday Park has been rescheduled from May 23, 2020 to May 29, 2021.

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (New York) has cancelled the remaining concerts of the 2019-20 season, which was to end on June 13. The orchestra had previously suspended activities at Kleinhans Music Hall through May 16.

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra (Michigan) has rescheduled its May 6 concert to June 12, due to coronavirus concerns.

The 2020 Marlboro Music Festival (Vermont) has been cancelled. This was to have been the 70th anniversary of the chamber-music festival, which brings together emerging musicians for training and concerts. Marlboro Music will post videos and recordings of past performances, interviews, and—online and in print—a new book. The Music from Marlboro touring program is expected to resume in October.

The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra (Michigan) has cancelled the remaining concerts of its 2019-20 season, which was to conclude on May 9.

The Santa Barbara Symphony (California) cancelled its April 18 and 19 concerts, and rescheduled its March 21 and 22 concerts to June 13 and 14. The orchestra is posting free content online, including previous performances, playlists, and videos with Music Director Nir Kabaretti. The orchestra’s Music Education Center has moved online, with virtual programming for the Youth Ensembles and Private Lesson Scholarship Program.

The Traverse Symphony Orchestra (Michigan) cancelled its April 4 spring fundraiser as well as the final concert of its current season on May 30.

The Winston-Salem Symphony (North Carolina) has cancelled its July 18 and 19 concerts, which had been previously been rescheduled from early April. The orchestra is following recommendations from health officials that prohibit gatherings of more than ten people at least into June.

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) has cancelled the final concerts of the season on May 17 and 18. The orchestra had previously cancelled concerts on May 5, 6, and 7.

Glyndebourne (East Sussex, U.K.) has cancelled its 2020 Festival, which was scheduled to present six operas from May to August. The organization had delayed its opening to July 14, but the persistence of the pandemic has led to the cancellation of the entire festival. Glyndebourne has announced a virtual festival opening on May 24 with streams of complete operas, for free, every Sunday.

The Peninsula Music Festival (Ephraim, Wisconsin) has postponed its 2020 festival to 2121 due to the pandemic. Originally slated to run for three weeks this August, the festival ​is now scheduled for August 3-21, 2021. The festival states that conductors, guest artists, and programming will migrate as-is to next summer.

The Racine Symphony Orchestra (Wisconsin) has cancelled its June 26 pops concert at Festival Hall, to limit the spread of the pandemic.

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra (Pennsylvania) announced the cancellation of its March 14 and April 25 concerts; these concerts had previously been postponed. The orchestra is posting videos from its musicians as well as previous performances on its social media channels.

The Williamsport Symphony Orchestra (Pennsylvania) has postponed its May 12 concert to September 22, and has cancelled its June 6 concert, which had originally been scheduled to be performed on March 14.

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Colorado Symphony (Denver) has postponed all remaining 2019-20 season concerts and events through May 31. In addition to full-orchestra concerts, cancelled events include in-school programs, chamber music concerts, an open rehearsal, and a performance by the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. New dates will be announced.

OKM Music (Bartlesville, Oklahoma) has postponed its 2020 festival to September 4–10. The festival presents chamber groups and small-ensemble orchestras, free community events, and programming for young people at multiple venues.

The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra (Massachusetts) postponed its March 28 ​concert to August 8; its May 17 and 18 concerts will now be presented on September 12 and 13.

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (Virginia) has announced postponements through July 25. Its March 29 concert has been rescheduled to June 29; the April 24 concert will now be performed on June 19; and the May 2 concert will be given on July 25.

The Worcester Youth Orchestras (Massachusetts) will not hold in-person rehearsals or events for the remainder of the season. All rehearsals and concerts currently take place online, including the May 17 season finale concert involving all students and ensembles. Spring 2020 auditions will be held online.

The Yakima Symphony Orchestra (Washington) has cancelled the final concerts of its season, which was to run through May 30, in conjunction with the extension of statewide stay-at-home orders. The orchestra will announce updates about its annual fundraising event, originally planned for March 29 and currently rescheduled to June 19, as the situation develops.

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Cape Symphony (Hyannis, Massachusetts) has rescheduled its June 13 and 14 concerts to August 22 and 23. The orchestra is unable to perform at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center, its home venue, due to the governor’s decision to close schools through the end of June.

The Colorado Music Festival (Boulder) has cancelled its 2020 season, which was scheduled to take place June 25 through August 1. Music Director Peter Oundjian is working with artists to create a Virtual Colorado Music Festival, with details to be announced.

The Des Moines Symphony (Iowa) has postponed its free outdoor concerts this summer. The July 2 concert at the Iowa State Capitol had been rescheduled to September 7 in the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park; it will be a Labor Day tribute to healthcare workers and first responders. The orchestra’s Water Works Pops series, originally scheduled July 24-26, will also move to the Labor Day weekend. The orchestra had previously cancelled concerts and public events through June 14.

The Hawaiʽi Symphony Orchestra (Honolulu) has cancelled concerts on May 29, May 30, May 31, June 6, and June 7 at Blaisdell Concert Hall as well a June 5 concert at the Kailua Park District Pavilion. The orchestra had previously canceled performances in March and April and suspended rehearsals following the closure of the Blaisdell Center, its primary venue.

The Oconomowok Chamber Orchestra (Wisconsin) cancelled its April 18 masterclass and performances and its April 19 concert. The orchestra is posting videos of recent performances and events online.

Ravinia (Highland Park, Illinois), the summer music festival, has cancelled its 2020 season, which was to run June 12-September 16, including the annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, a summer conservatory, will also be closed. Ravinia has operated continuously since its 1904 opening, except for 1932–1935 during the Great Depression. The organization is developing online content, including lectures, master classes, and rehearsals for the public-school students who participate in its programs as well as for the young professional musicians who were accepted in Steans Music Institute this year.

The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (Madison, Wisconsin) has postponed all concerts through May 8, with new dates to be announced. The organization has deferred the start of its annual Concerts on the Square series by five weeks; the six concerts will now take place July 28-September 1. The orchestra’s musicians are posting performances from their homes as part of a #coucherto series, and the orchestra is posting recordings of previous concerts.

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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.

The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (Texas) has cancelled the remaining concerts of its 2019-20 season, through May 24, due to coronavirus concerns. The orchestra had previously cancelled concerts through May 17. The orchestra’s annual Concerts in the Garden series, June 5-July , is currently slated to proceed as scheduled.

The Omaha Symphony (Nebraska) has cancelled concerts on May 30-31 and June 5-6. An orchestra-with-film concert on April 26 and 26 has been postponed indefinitely. The orchestra had previously cancelled concerts through April 30. The orchestra continues to expand its “Omaha Symphony | Anywhere” online initiative with educational videos, content from musicians, and broadcasts of recordings on 90.7–KVNO.

The Portland Symphony Orchestra (Maine) has cancelled all concerts as well as select events through the end of June. The orchestra had previously cancelled concerts and events through May 17. Cancelled concerts include classical, pops, chamber, and youth programs.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School (Providence, Rhode Island) has cancelled previously postponed concerts through May 2. The Music School has shifted to online instruction, and the orchestra and school are posting virtual performances by orchestra members, faculty, and students; archived Rhode Island Philharmonic performances; and video conversations with Artistic Advisor Bramwell Tovey. The orchestra is reviewing plans for its summer concerts in Narragansett, Providence, Bristol, and Pawtucket.

The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra (Texas) has announced that its April 18 concert, which was to be the final event of the current season, will now be performed on August 15. The orchestra is considering options such as social distancing for concerts in Memorial Auditorium and streaming concerts online in real time.