Exterior of the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis, where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs
“The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 2020-2021 indoor concert season has been canceled, the orchestra’s management and musicians announced Friday afternoon,” writes Ethan May in Friday’s (7/24) Indianapolis Star. “ ‘While our mutual desire is to return world-class music to a city that has been upended by the events of the last few months, we recognize the challenges presented to the ISO by the pandemic and unforeseen economic pressures,’ a joint statement” from the orchestra’s management and musicians said. “James Johnson, the orchestra’s CEO, [said] they are committed to returning ‘when conditions allow.’ … Representatives for the musicians said the orchestra terminated their employer-provided health insurance at the beginning of the second furlough [on June 7]. When asked whether management plans to provide musicians with health insurance despite the cancellation of the indoor season, Johnson repeated a portion of the joint statement, saying, ‘The ISO and its musicians will be meeting to discuss how the musicians will be supported in the interim, with a priority on providing health insurance for the musicians and their families.’ … The orchestra’s next outdoor event will be in 2021, when its summer concert series Symphony on the Prairie returns.” The Indianapolis Symphony’s 2020-21 indoor season was slated to run from October 2020 through June 2021.
