“The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra marked its 90th anniversary in late March,” writes Karen Hendricks in Wednesday’s (3/31) TheBurg (Harrisburg, PA). “Like many pandemic milestones, the celebration was ‘different,’ via a live-streamed, pre-recorded, socially distanced performance—the HSO’s seventh of 10 ticketed virtual performances [this season]. Although virtual performances have been a hot ticket, ‘the largest single element of the HSO’s budget is not ticket sales, but development money,’ said Steve MacDonald, HSO board president…. The HSO raised 93% of its annual [fundraising] goal by January…. Not only did the HSO retain a large percentage of its audience via online performances, but it’s expanded its reach [to] music lovers around the globe…. ‘The creativity we applied to this season will take us forward into more normal seasons with enhanced offerings,’ said Maestro Stuart Malina, HSO music director and conductor. ‘We intend to continue streaming some of our concerts.’… The fate of the HSO’s live outdoor concerts … as well as next fall’s season, have not yet been announced….. Said Matthew Herren, HSO executive director, ‘A lot depends on the vaccine rollout … but I’m optimistically tentative…. We need [the arts] now more than ever.’ ”
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