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.
